Sunday Eve

August 12, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,
How are you doing this week? Today at church Justin Sypherd gave his homecoming talk to our ward. He really enjoyed being in South Carolina, the Bible belt. Sounds like it was hard work, but he's strengthened because of it and learned a lot. He looked the same as if time stood still.

So now us and the Erickson's are next for having our boys/men come home. Jill has been making plans for at least 9 months now. She's so excited, I wouldn't be surprised if she fainted when she sees him for the first time. She has really missed him. I'm starting to get pretty excited myself. I called the DR the other day and made hotel reservations. Of course, when they started speaking Spanish it threw me off a bit and I immediately said, en ingles por favor.

We had a great time in CA but now we're back to reality. You know how that goes. It's like we go to Fantasyland for a while and forget all our worries. I guess that's what vacations are all about. Dad's work is going through some changes, some for good some not so good. The hospital is growing and it's experiencing growing pains. I think they're having a hard time realizing they're not a small town hospital any more. He's at work tonight doing a 9-7am shift. So the shifts are a little different now, not just 12 hours and they're having double coverage for the doctors during the busy hours.

We got your handwritten letter this week. That was so nice. In fact, I enjoyed seeing your handwritten words so much that it inspired me to hand write a letter to Kirk. I really haven't sent him anything handwritten and now i can see what a difference it is. You have a good eye for details too.

This week I'm getting things ready for my 11 yr old scout day camp on Saturday. Looks like we'll have a pretty good turnout this year so it should be fun. Alex is helping with the axes as usual and dad will give the class on first aid and he also conducts for me. I ask dad to do that because I think the young boys enjoy seeing a man in a scout uniform leading them. They've had women up to this point in cubs, so I think having men leaders is fun for them. I run the games and competitions and keep things running on time, etc.

Alex just came home from a special fireside our ward had. The Cameron's had a friend of theirs from DC speak to the youth. He's done a lot of work with refugees in Africa and has had many interesting experiences around the world working with the CIA. Alex told me tonight it's made him want to work for the CIA.

Tomorrow Alex will be taking his test to get his permit. Looks like Tues evening he'll be driving me home if all goes well.

Also Alex had his first date last Fri night. it was a special Priest date night at Trevin Rasmussen's. The good news is that he had a really fun time, he took Alena Daly. The bad news is that dad and I were also on that date. He'll forever have to admit that. We had a bbq, then played Mafia and had a fun game of kickball in the backyard. Alex actually got me out at first by throwing the ball at me. He did hesitate for a moment, I have to admit. Also he apologized to me later. Dad and I took off after that so Alex could have a little alone time (well, alone with all the other priests and their dates).

David and Caryn stopped by this morning on their way out of town. They went camping this past week with Caryn's family and were going back to CA today. I was glad they took the time to stop by. Their kids are so funny. They come in our house like a whirlwind, play hard, talk loud and then leave. They loved the boccerball game.

David told me to ask you if you like the ice cream there. He loved it.

So who have you been teaching this week? How is Isabel doing? Do you do a lot of tracting or do you have appointments most the week? What is your ward/branch like? Do you have to help out in the branch by teaching, playing piano, etc? I would love to write a letter to the sister in your branch, Hermana Salas. I think I'll have Carolina translate a letter for me.

The things you mentioned in your last letter that you miss aren't always as great as you might remember. Grass-constantly in need of attention, water, cutting and still insists on dying in big patches. Carpet-hard to keep clean, conceals numerous microscopic bugs and pet dander. Water-actually I do consider that a luxury here. Is bottled water hard to keep around? I hope you don't get hooked on the Coke there. Try to stay away from that. Water will keep you in better health all around. Fast food-after being on vacation and eating a lot of fast food, I really miss home cooked meals, something not cooked in mass production or in large vats of grease. Silence-important for sanity and also for hearing the whisperings of the spirit, so I'm sorry you don't get much silence there. Kirk has also mentioned that there's always noise everywhere he goes and can even hear it all from his pensions. It's not exactly quiet here in our house, but it's good noise for the most part. Microwave-it's good to slow down occasionally and enjoy the cooking process. Something that heats up quickly also cools down quickly (a good analogy can be made in testimony building). Sleep-watching dad suffer with sleep deprivation in life, I would never want any of you kids to have that. Are you getting a good night's sleep each night? I understand that a power nap probably sounds pretty good now and then, but it's good you are young, strong and filled with the strength of the spirit. I worry a little for your health after what you've been reporting, hopefully it's just a matter of building up endurance for this new lifestyle, so if you're feeling stronger now, let me know. Remember every spring you get a little run down.

You also said in your last letter that you were trying to send pix to us, but nothing ever came through. I hope you'll be able to send some sometime. It will be fun to see where you are, your comp, etc.

Keep up the good work there. I know it probably feels like looking for needles in a haystack sometimes, but we know there are many of Argentina's future church leaders out there waiting for the message you are bringing. The Lord has prepared them to this point. You are in the right place at the right time. Miracles will happen.

I love you and miss you. Say hi to your comp for me.

Love,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox