Jan 06 - Mar 06 Kirk letters

Jan 3, 2006


Dear Elder Kirk,
A new year...I hope you have started your new year off with good things,
good goals, some new investigators, etc. It was different going to church
at 9 in the morning. That's going to take some work getting used to.
Here's a quote I like from Pres. Hinckley:

"Please don¹t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far
beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way
you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort."

--Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You,"
Ensign, Nov. 1989, 94


the pics I attached are the girls with G & G at the Newport Beach temple,
the kids with Batman at our trip to downtown Hollywood and my mom holding
her book that I made for her for Christmas.

The kids are all back in school, Nikki and Leah couldn't wait to get back to
school. Finals are for Sean and Alex next week. Aren't you glad you're
done with those for a while..

Dad really worked hard last week, making up for the time off we had. I'm
looking forward to this month so I can spend some more time with him.

For New Year's Eve dad and I went over to the Hugentobler's and played some
games. They taught us a new game called Pounce. While we were in CA the
cousins kept telling us about this new game they learned called Keeno.
Well, come to find out, it's actually the same game, just different names.
It's funny how games get popular and passed around. alex went to the stake
dance which was at the YMCA this year. He said it was just ok. Sean went
to a party at Nate Carter's. He said it was pretty fun.

I finally took down the last of the Christmas decorations today. Now the
house looks bare again.

So how is the work going? Tell us about some of the people you're teaching
or about some of the people you work with in the branch.

Does your maid ever fix you anything other than chicken and rice? Does she
ever make any kind of dessert?

I loved your pics from last week. Your Christmas dinner picture looked
good. What did you get to eat?

Well, I hope you're keeping warm because we aren't. It finally stopped
raining today and it's nice and sunny out, but it's actually supposed to
snow a little tonight and tomorrow. I really can't complain because the
moisture is so good for the farmers here.

Take care for this week, Kirk. Can't wait to hear from you. I love you.
Mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Jan 10, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
Today is ski day because dad took Kristina and Leah skiing. This will be
Leah's first time. She'll probably do great, but I can't wait to hear how
she does. Kristina's also going again with her school this Friday night.
It's fun seeing the lights from Bogus at night through our dining room
window.

I sent a package to you yesterday, so you'll probably get it in a few weeks.
Let us know when you get it.

Dad had a youth fireside here Sunday night. We always have quite a large
group. I wasn't able to listen to it because I had to be at the stake
center for a baptism preview night (because I'm on the Stake Primary board).

Also Sunday Matt Kynaston reported his mission to Korea. He shared some
great stories about some of the people he taught and then he bore his
testimony in Korean. It was a good meeting.

Joe Kjar went into the MTC this past week also. His mom said he was so
eager to go that he was practically the first one through the doors.

LAst Fri night the stake presidency put on a dinner for all the bishops and
their wives. It was a lot of fun. We sat with Bishop Butterfield and his
wife and Pres Merrill and his wife (the Mayor of Eagle). Then afterwards
Sis McCauley read some pretend headlines from the church news. Each
headline was a funny story about one of the bishops. Dad's headline was
Bishop still has need for blue baby blanket. So then dad had to tell about
how he always had to have his blanket with him and how his parents actually
put it into his sleeping bag when he was a scout on a campout and how
embarrassed he was. I then told everyone that dad liked his blanket because
of the silky binding and that he still likes that feeling because he always
strokes his tie the same way, so everyone there said they were going to come
to our ward on Sunday so they could see him stroking his tie like a baby
blanket. All the stories were so funny and everyone was laughing so hard.

Thurs night we had 6 students stay with us from George Fox University.
They sang at a concert at the HS. They were really nice young men and in
the morning Sean cooked pancakes, bacon and spam for them. We all had
breakfast together. It's nice having a big basement, there was plenty of
room.

Today Nikki and I are going to the ear doctor. He's going to check Nikki's
ears again. She's been saying "huh?" a lot lately. You know how that goes.
Maybe one of her tubes has fallen out.

Well, we're trying to figure out where Alex will go for EFY this year. The
cousins are kind of spreading out this year, so he will probably go with a
friend.

Carolina said she wrote you a letter in Spanish and hopes it was ok and that
you could understand most of what she said. It's probably a lot different
reading Spanish versus listening to it. Are you able to teach most the
discussions and answer questions without much problem now or is it still
difficult?

Everyone loved the pics you sent. You look very at home there. We love
the shoe shining picture.

Well, I hope you are finding investigators. Remember, the Lord knows where
His elect are and they will be placed in your path somehow. Be sensitive to
the promptings you feel each day. Here's my quote for the week:

"I think [forgiveness] may be the greatest virtue on earth, and certainly
the most needed. There is so much of meanness and abuse, of intolerance and
hatred. There is so great a need for repentance and forgiveness. It is the
great principle emphasized in all of scripture, both ancient and modern.

Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can
happen in no other way."
--Gordon B. Hinckley,


You continue to amaze me, Kirk, with your wonderful attitude. It must show
in your countenance and I know the people of the DR will feel that same
thing from you as you meet with them. Keep up the good work.

Love you,
Mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo


Jan 17, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,

Sean, Kristina and I just got back from a jazz concert at Justin Nielsen's.
It was great. Kristina thought the saxophonist looked a little like
you...:)

It's been raining all day. Can't believe how much rain we're getting here
in the valley. The farmers are probably sooo happy.

On Sunday Sean got set apart to be the president for the Alma academy.
He'll do a great job and it's great he'll be working closely with Bro. Shaw.
Sean will also be helping with the missionary prep classes. We're still
waiting to hear if he got accepted to BYU or not. We found out Isaac and
Axel both got accepted so far.

Last weekend we had a game night at our house. I thought of you and how
much you like to play games. We had the Hugentobler's over and the
Ericksons. Lots of chips and dips and lots of fun.

I made a note to get you your BOM study books. I probably won't be sending
them too soon though, but if you need them sooner, just let me know.

I'm going to start reading your letters outloud in our family nights. So if
you want to say a little something to everyone, they'll be sure to hear what
you say. Nikki is so proud that you are on a mission. She tells everyone
and she tells them that you now speak Spanish. I'm amazed that she
understands what you are doing.

Dad got me some banjo lessons on DVD, and I've been practicing along with
the lessons. Hopefully, by the time you get home I might know a few little
pieces. It's a lot of fun. I love learning something new.

You inspired me to read Jesus the Christ in your last letter. I'm finishing
up the D&C, then I'm going to read it. It's so great that you enjoy
studying the scriptures. You'll find that the knowledge you gain through
reading will start coming out in the lessons that you teach to your
investigators, and it will happen very naturally. How is your branch and
area coming along?

Here is my quote for this week:

"To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have
never before done."


--Richard G. Scott, "Finding the Way Back," Ensign, May 1990, 74

I hope your hard work is paying off for you and that you are able to find
those precious souls who are praying to find the truth. They're out there,
probably closer than you realize. Keep your faith strong and truly live the
gospel, then "all things will be added upon."

My prayers are always with you.
Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Jan 24, 2006

Hi Elder Kirk,
Been thinking about you a lot this week. We just had Stake Conf and it was
so spiritual and motivating and any time they mention missionaries or tell
missionary stories, I think about you. I've attached Pres. McCauley's talk
because I thought it was sooo good. Hope it's not too long for you to
read. I never know how much time you have online.

It's a new semester for Sean and Alex. Sean heard he was on the waiting
list for summer semester at BYU-Utah. He's going to apply again and see if
he can get in for fall semester. It will be hard to plan any kind of
family vacation if Sean's in school all summer, but he may have to do that
in order to get in to BYU. He just got asked to the sweetheart dance by
Tiffany Shaw. She's really a fun girl.

I got Alex signed up for EFY with Dallas Yorgason. They'll be going
sometime in July. He's still Mr. Straight A.

Kristina is still busy as ever with her friends, quite the socialite and
she's finally starting to enjoy reading because she started reading mystery
books (Nancy Drew) and likes them.

Leah is reading more and more words now and loves it when she finds a book
that has most the words she knows and can read it herself. She reads it
over and over and over again and is very proud of herself.

Nikki knows all her capital letters now and has started learning the small
letters. She's still singing all the time and it's funny to listen to her
because she gets the words mixed up all the time. Sometimes she can't stop
singing though and we have to tell her to play the quiet game. Also she
always blesses you to have a "good time" on your mission.

Dad is busy with Bishop things. He had all the Aaronic Priesthood leaders
(men and boys) over on Sat for a big breakfast and training mtg. Of course,
Spam was a big hit. Now he has to do the same thing for the YOung Women.

I'm still quilting, playing the piano, playing the banjo and doing some
training for our big youth trek this summer. We have to push and pull
handcarts for 3 days. I'm trying to get some form of exercise in every
day-I even ordered a new exercise bike that I'm going to keep in my room.
Uncle Steve lost a lot of weight using an exercise bike so I thought I'd
try. Anyway, I need to work on my endurance so they don't have to carry me
on one of the carts. :)

How is the work going for you and your companion? How's your branch? Tell
us some stories about the people. Here's my quote for the week:

"...the strait and narrow path, though clearly marked, is a path, not a
freeway nor an escalator. Indeed, there are times when the only way the
strait and narrow path can be followed is on one¹s knees!"

--Neal A. Maxwell, "A Brother Offended," Ensign, May 1982, 37
2 Nephi 31: 18-19

Always remember Heavenly Father answers all our sincere prayers and He wants
you to succeed because you are saving souls and because He loves you. Stay
in tune with the spirit and your every footstep will be guided. I have that
same promise in my life and I'm so grateful for that knowledge because I
have 6 beautiful spirits that Heavenly Father has entrusted to me and dad
and I need His help, I want to be guided.

Have a great week!!
I love you,
mom
xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo


Feb 7, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
So have you had transfers yet? We're anxious to hear where you are.

I just put the girls in bed and Leah's complaining about how much she misses
you. They're good girls.

We laughed at you complaining about your cold nights-70 degrees. We had a
beautiful day today. It got around 48 and all the kids were outside
playing.

Sean had a group of friends over to practice singing. Remember when he said
he couldn't sing and refused to sing at FHE. I think he saw how much fun
you had in choir and decided to join in, now he loves it. It cracks me up.

Steve and Carolina are going up to Provo this weekend to check it out.
Steve loves it there, but he wants Carolina to see it and see how she feels
about moving there. It will be strange not having them in CA.

How are your investigators doing? Do you have problems with retention after
baptism? The gospel's a tough thing for some. It's easy to feel the spirit
strongly when you're reading the BOM, but then the work begins and you have
to prove your faithfulness. A lot of people feel the spirit and want to
join the church, but being totally committed and enduring to the end is the
hard part. So many fall away, but if you ask if they know if the church is
true, they'll say yes. It's the hard work though that will strengthen your
testimony and give you strong roots in the gospel. Your mission is helping
you develop even stronger roots and those roots will hold you strong when
times are tough. I can sympathize with members who get baptized but fall
away rather quickly from the church. Their roots have just not grown
strong enough, and I totally admire the investigators who listen to the
message, believe and get baptized and commit 100%. When you find those
people, you know they will be the next leaders in the DR.

I hope you're enjoying the searching as well as the teaching. Remember a
person joining the church has an average of 7 previous contacts with the
church. You never know how just your presence walking down the street
might be someone's contact with the church.

Here's my quote for the week:
"There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They
prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless."


‹James E. Faust, "The Refiner¹s Fire," Ensign, May 1979, 53

2 Nephi 2:11

I hope you're enjoying your new apartment-the nice warm showers. Have you
tried any new foods lately or is it still rice and chicken? I think of you
every day. We are all well here, working hard and playing hard. Let me
know if there's anything we can do for you here.
I love you,
mom
xoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Feb 14, 2006

Happy Valentine's Day Elder Kirk,
Do they even celebrate Valentine's Day there? Dad and I just got back from
our date. He showered me with flowers as usual, the pretty wild flowers
that I love and we went out to dinner and then to a movie. We were the
only ones in the movie theater so it was like he reserved the whole place
for just the two of us. Pretty great, huh?

Sean took off today with choir to Portland. I'm waiting to hear from him
when they get there. He's gone until Saturday.

Let's see-news in the ward. Sis. Leifson had a baby boy last night, so
there's a new kid on the block. haha

Steve and Carolina went to Provo last weekend and they really like one of
the houses they looked at, so we'll see what happens. They said there's
lots of room in the basement for their boys to live in while they go to
school.

It sounds like the Mustang will be ready for me to pick up this week. We
had to put a whole new top on it because the vinyl one blew off and there
was too much rust underneath. The top they put on is from another 66
Mustang, but it was blue. So now the car has a blue top and red body.
Quite a good looking machine :)

Nikki gave a talk in Primary last week. At home she actually had half of
it memorized. At church she started out great and then slowly faded away,
turned away from the mike and got softer and softer as she spoke, but she
stuck with it and I was proud of her. The girls listen to Primary songs at
night as they go to sleep. Somehow it calms them down a bit.

I haven't heard you say much about your companion. How are things going
with him? Do you feel like you both work hard and work well together?
Sis. Campbell was asking about your Spanish and how it was coming. I told
her you don't say much about it anymore, so you must be feeling pretty
comfortable with it. So how is your Spanish?

How are your investigators this week? Are you still teaching the one
sister, Pahola, who is a cousin to some members? I hope so. It's great if
her family is sitting in on her lessons too. It sounds like family night
is a big teaching tool with your area. Do you sing songs with the families
and give lessons, etc?

I keep forgetting to ask you if you are still giving piano lessons?

We had a few warm days here and now it's turning cold again, so I guess
we're not quite through with winter. I'm ready for spring. Kirk, I want
you to know how much I love you and how much I love hearing your stories and
what you're doing for some precious souls in the DR. My testimony is
strengthened each week when I hear from you. Your missionary work has such
a great effect on our little family. I hope you can feel us praying for you
each day.

Have a great week. Dad wants to add his letter onto mine this time, so I'll
sign off. Love you much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


Feb. 21, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
How are you doing this week? We're all well here, just trying to stay
warm. The kids had a 4-day weekend (President's holiday). We went to the
new Downtown Boise area yesterday and had lunch and went to a movie all
together.

On Fri, Primary had an activity day. The girls all made temples made out of
marshmellows. Of course, they've eaten them already.

Sean got home from Portland. It sounds like it was a good trip. Then on
Sat night he went to Sweetheart's Dance with Tiffany Shaw. They had a fun
time.

The boys are still in the middle of basketball season at the church. Our
ward is in 1st place right now. They won their last game by scoring 100
pts. Can you believe it? Alex did a good job and scored 7 pts that game
and managed to get 2 fouls (dad asked him to...).

I'm on my way to enrichment. Our quilt group has to do a little commercial
so I'm taking a bunch of my quilts and we're going to pretend we're
stitching on them and they're going to make the commercial like the
energizer bunny, that we just keep going and going. We'll see how that
goes.

Dad is keeping busy with work and bishoping. There's always something going
on. He's also anxious to get working in the yard again. It should start
warming up this weekend, so I think we'll be having a big work day in the
yard Saturday.

How is your branch? Does it remind you of our old branch at all? I hope
you're keeping busy. Remember to write in your journal, pray always for
the spirit to be with you so you can be guided and volunteer to help
wherever you can. Just by being willing, the Lord will make you able.

Here's my quote for the week:
"Reflecting on his horrendous wartime experiences, Viktor Frankl recalled:
'We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through
the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may
have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can
be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms‹to choose
one¹s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one¹s own way.'

That is noble behavior and a high expectation, but Jesus expects no less of
us."

‹Wayne S. Peterson, "Our Actions Determine Our Character," Ensign, Nov.
2001, 83

Matthew 5:44

Enjoy your week. We think of you every day and we are with you in spirit.
Honor your priesthood by using it each day. I love you very much.
Mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Feb 28, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
Como esta? It's late at night here and I'm tired. Sean drove the Mustang
to his friend's for a singing practice, but on the way it died. So we had
to push it, first with the van, then by hand, then we pulled it with a rope
and then we pushed it again by hand. Cars are heavy! The guy around the
corner from us on Ballantyne (the one who always has old cars out front of
his house) is going to take a look at the car on Friday. Hopefully, it
won't be anything too big. We've already had a lot of work done on the car.

It was a really nice day today and dad got to work out in the yard. The
girls love being outside too. I sure hope spring is here to stay. You
should be warming up down there too, right? This will be your first summer
there. Should be interesting.

How's the work going? Still walking the streets talking with everyone you
can? How's the branch? Do you work with the less actives too?

Well, the boys had their big b-ball game with Eagle 4th ward. It was sooooo
close, but we lost. If we had won, that would have been the championship,
but because it's double elimination we have to play Eagle 4th again this
Saturday for the championship. Oliver is determined to win. He's a really
good player too.

Do you hear from Alex Erickson? Sounds like he's doing well from what I
hear from his family. Jason has been out a year now and his parents say
he's doing great.

The laurels and priests were here last week and they had a big
fondue/chocolate fountain party. Lots of food, but the chocolate fountain
was a big hit. It looked so cool. Nikki and Leah of course loved it.

Kristina is doing well in school this year. She's one of the best math
students in the her class and she loves it. She's keeping up with piano
lessons and baton lessons too. Next week she's getting her hair permed and
she can't wait. We'll have to send you a picture. Leah wants to get her
hair cut and brings it up every day. I really like her long hair, but she
wants it shorter, so we'll see. Nikki is growing her hair out and it's
getting pretty long, but since it's so curly you can't tell how long it is.
Sometimes I straighten it with a straightening iron and she looks totally
different-older.

Alex is in the middle of golf team try-outs. You know how hard that is at
Eagle High, but he's having a lot of fun. It's just made him want to play
golf even more. Tomorrow will be the last tryout day.

I'm still keeping up with the banjo-it's such a great instrument. I love
the sound. I guess I'm a hick at heart. :)

I hope you're doing ok. I'm not worried about you losing weight as long as
you're taking care of yourself and eating properly. Do the members feed you
very much? I'm glad you were able to buy a CD player. Do you like the
Cd's you got? I hear the new BYU men's chorus CD is great, so maybe I'll
look for that one for you.

All is well here, Kirk. It's a wonderful feeling to know you're helping
build the kingdom in your area of the world. There are great people
everywhere. The spirit will lead you to them. Keep a positive attitude and
know that the Lord wants you to succeed. I like the scriptures in the D&C
that say the Lord will go before you. He will prepare the way before you.
You just need to follow behind Him and do your part. All things will then
be added upon.

I love you and think about you every day and night. You're in our prayers
constantly. Work hard - this is the time you've prepared for all your life.
You want to be able to look back and know that you gave your all and worked
hard. Hard work in the kingdom is such a rewarding feeling-something that
will stay with you your whole life.

Take care of yourself. You're the best!
Love,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

March 7, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,
Can you believe it's March already? Time is flying by this year. Last
night at family night, I was reading some of your past letters out loud to
the family and I was wondering whatever happened with Pahola. Are you still
teaching her? Teaching her family? Tell us about some of the people you
teach even if it's just one lesson. I'd love to hear what they say, how
they respond, what are their reservations about the gospel, what do they
relate to in the gospel, etc.

Also last night at family night, I was telling a story to the little girls
about a little boy who got left at home accidentally when his family went to
church. I was asking them how they would feel if they got left home alone
and Leah said, "That would be good, then we could eat all the food." So now
we know what would happen if we left the girls home alone.... ;)

Sean is in the middle of mission prep classes now. Do you have any words of
advice for their group. He'll be happy to pass it along if you do.

Well, our ward just barely lost to Eagle 4th for the big basketball
championship. It was such an exciting game and so close the whole time.
Eagle 4th apparently brought in 2 ringers just for this game, so next year I
think they'll make stricter rules about who can play, etc. But it was such
a fun game to watch. The crowd was going wild the whole time. Last week
the all stars played the singles ward and the YM all stars won!!

Alex just barely missed the cutoff for the golf team. He's determined to
make it next year, so I'm sure he'll be golfing a lot this year.

Sunday night dad had Priesthood Preview here, which is for all the boys
turning 12 this coming year. Alex and I are singing in the stake choir and
getting ready for the big Easter concert. The songs are wonderful--so
powerful.

I hear from Jan just about every day. They are already working hard on
Heidi's wedding. There's a lot of work involved with these weddings. Her
fiance is a nice young man from their stake in Brea. He's very tall too.

I'm just getting to the end of the D&C, then I'll be starting Jesus the
Christ. What are you studying lately? Share some of the insights you're
learning out there. Since I never served a mission, I'm just anxious to
hear anything you have to say about it.

We're probably going to send you a calling card this time for the Mother's
Day call. The call at Christmas ended up being sooo expensive, so we'll see
what we can come up with and get something out to you.

Here's my quote for this week
"No good deed, no kind word can be spoken without its effect being felt for
good upon all. Sometimes the good may be infinitesimal, but as a rock that
is thrown in a pool starts a wave from the center which continues to enlarge
until every part of the shore is touched, so your deeds, silent, many of
them, unknown, unspoken, unheralded, continue to radiate and touch many
hearts."


--Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 24: "Let Your Light
So Shine," 225
D &C 4:2

I know your good deeds are being felt. I loved when you told us that as you
walk down the streets people call out to you and say hi. Just that alone is
like the rock that is thrown into a pool. You're starting a wave that
enlarges each day. Our prayers are always with you and your companion.
Enjoy the work, continue spreading the good news of the gospel.

I love you.
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

March 14, 2006
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, we almost had a snow day yesterday. We woke up and there was 4
inches of snow on the ground. But the schools didn't think school should be
closed and wouldn't you know it, by the time the kids came home from school,
most of it was melted. It looked beautiful though. White everywhere.

Well, this week Sean heard from BYU and got accepted for this fall. He was
on the waiting list for summer, but now he's heard from them that he's
accepted for fall. That's good that he doesn't have to go summer. I'm not
ready for my second boy to leave... Now he just needs to find a job. He's
trying Hollywood Video but we just found out he has to be 18, so he's got a
couple months to go.

Also Sean asked Megan Gursten to prom tonight and she accepted. He made a
video like Scott McCauley where he was standing on her doorstep and right
when he rings the bell in the video, Sean rang the doorbell. His friend
Aaron helped him coordinate the whole thing and he said it went perfectly.

I guess this has been kind of a big week for Sean-more news. He got his
patriarchal blessing Sunday and it was really nice. Now I get the
privilege of typing it up. Also last week was the academic award assembly,
so dad and I went to it. Sean got the award for Government and then we
walked with him shaking everyone's hands for all the kids who got 3.5 and
above. The assembly was great as usual. They did a great job with the
video again--I remember your year was great too.

We mailed you a package last week and it should get to your mission home
this week sometime. We sent little goodies but we didn't send a phone
card. Do you think it would be better to just buy one down there to use
for Mother's Day and next Christmas? Let us know if that sounds like a
good plan.

So how was your week? Do the branch presidents ask you and your companion
to do any work for the branch? Also I was wondering if the members sign up
to have you in their homes for dinners.

We got new elders in our ward and they have said it's sometimes hard to be
in an area where there are so many members. When they go tracting,
practically every third house is a member already. They really have to rely
on us members a lot.

So how many lessons were you able to give this week? Do you look forward
to giving lessons the most or going out and trying to find new people to
talk to? Just curious. From your last letter, it sounds like you're
doing a lot of studying. Share some of the things you learn or insights
you've gained from the scriptures. Do you memorize scriptures too?
What's your favorite scripture this week?

Well, I hope you're well and enjoying the work. You have an amazing
attitude. I really feel it's a gift you've been given, that you can lift
others by being so positive about things. Remember, you can bring hope to
those around you. Most people there probably already have faith, but the
restored gospel is what truly gives us hope. Hope for peace in our lives
now and hope for that great eternal reward of being back in the presence of
our Heavenly Father and with those whom we love here on the earth through
the great sealing power of the temples. I am so grateful for the hope my
testimony has given me.

Have a great week. I love you very much.

Love,
mom
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March 21, 2006

Dear Elder Kirk,

So it's finally spring here and we had a beautiful day. We're in the 50's
now and dad feels like working in the yard. In fact, we all like being
outside.

I went to Sean and Alex's choir concert tonight. It was their pre-DIII
concert and they sound great. Mr. McMullen really knows how to whip
everybody into shape.

Dad spoke on Sunday and presented a ward mission plan. He did a great job.
We're going to be praying out loud for our missionaries in our ward, for
people we think would like to hear about the gospel, invite someone into our
home every quarter and invite someone to attend any church event or mtg
every quarter.

I thought about you last week when we were getting the car washed. Remember
that really big car wash in downtown Boise, well they built one on Eagle
road, so we decided to try it. It was pretty fun, mainly because it's sooo
long. You'll like it.

Last week for YM/YW they had a talent show. Alex and some of his friends
sang and danced to a Backstreet Boys song. Everyone said they did great.
Alex said he had some great dance moves...you know Alex, Mr. Humble! It
sounds like just about everyone performed something, so they're probably
going to make this an annual thing.

Can't wait to hear if you got transferred this week. Elder Erickson finally
got transferred for the first time last week. Now he's in the big city,
Louisville, KY. Whatever happened to Elder Anderson? Did he just get
moved to a different area?

Did you get your box yet? I hope we sent the right things you had asked
for previously. It's fun putting things together for you. Let us know when
you think of things you'd like or need and we'll just keep a running list
until we send another box.

I went visit teaching today. I really enjoy meeting with the sisters in
their homes. We have some great ladies in our ward. We discussed how
wonderful it is that we have eternal progression and that we are continually
learning and growing spiritually no matter what age we are. Our bodies may
give out on us, but our spirits continue to thrive and learn. Every time I
read the Book of Mormon I feel the spirit stronger and stronger from the
prophets who wrote the words. They were so in tune and the Lord truly
helped them write the words that we need to hear today. I especially enjoy
reading Moroni's comments at the end of Ether where he bears his testimony
about his experience in reading the plates. He was touched just as much as
we are by the experiences shared by Nephi, the brother of Jared, Ammon, etc.
Moroni wanted us to know these things were true and then he shares with us
that he even got to see the Lord face to face and was taught by Him. I
can't wait to meet Moroni one day and thank him for his great faith.

I hope you've had a wonderful week and can't wait to hear from you. You're
always in our prayers. I pray for your companions too and the people you
meet with. Live your faith and honor your priesthood.
I love you,

mom
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March 28, 2006
My dear Elder Kirk,
How are you this week? Can't wait to hear your stories of the new area, the
"big" city. Hopefully we'll be able to hear from you before we take off for
Utah on Wednesday. You know how we kind of take our time getting out of
the house on our trips, so hopefully we'll hear from you in the morning.

I've been sick almost the whole week. Dad says he thinks I have pneumonia,
and for a few days I was miserable. I just laid around in bed and I was
getting pretty bored of my bedroom. Sunday afternoon I actually started
feeling a bit better and each day I can feel my strength returning. I sure
appreciate my good health whenever I'm sick. I'm usually very strong and
healthy and to not be able to even go to church(you know me, I never miss
church), I really know what a blessing good health is, something we
shouldn't take for granted. Nikki started getting sick a few days ago so
we just laid in bed together.

I hope we all feel ok for our Utah trip. I'll let you know next week how it
goes.

Last night we had the Rozsa's over for family night. They wanted to learn
about how to make a garden and we had dominoes pizza with cake and ice
cream. I've been friends with the Rozsa family since I was born, so it's
just like having family over. We had fun.

We have 4 tickets for gen. conf, the Sunday morning session, so look for us
in the audience. haha Probably me, Alex, Sean and Kristina will go. I'm
really excited and it will be my first time in the new conference center
(I've visited there when it's empty but have never gone to any event there).
I can't wait to feel the spirit that the prophet and the other church
leaders bring into that room.

Sorry I don't have any big stories this week. That's what being sick does
to you.

Did you get our package yet? Let me know. Also just wondering what kind of
place you're living in now. Are you with other elders? And are you on
foot still?

You said you had some people who were close to baptism, how's that going?
Here's a quote for you for this week:
"Too often we behave as if we were in massive competition with others for
God's love. But we have His love; it is our love of Him that remains to be
proven, such as through service to others."

‹Neal A. Maxwell, The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book, pg. 204

Romans 5:8

In a couple weeks I'll send some pics of what we've been doing in the
backyard. We actually have some tall trees out there now, right as you walk
off the step from the deck across from where dad is going to build a
waterfall. Dad's a great gardener and a hard worker out there. There are
so many things about him that I feel so lucky and blessed to have found him
and fallen in love with him. I truly feel that the Lord had a hand in our
finding each other and being lead to each other to start our beautiful
family.

Kirk, take care this week. You bring joy to my heart and I know there are
people in the DR right now waiting to hear the message of your testimony.
Bear it often because the more you share it, the larger it gets.

I love you,
mom
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