Hey Sean, I'm beginning this letter and I'll let Mom finish it. We are rapping up Alex's 16th birthday day. The Hugentoblers just went home and Mom is talking to Jill Erickson in the back yard. We ditched Alex at the airport about 4 pm and he flew down to Utah, was going to have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Thompson and Aunt Charmaine then go to the Trumbo's to spend the night before going to EFY tomorrow. He will be with Brig Star, Jake Jensen, Jay Smack and an assorted group of other Eagle kids. Mom is leaving Wednesday to go get him and bring the whole group back home. Brig is going to go on our high adventure next week before we all go back to CA for Aunt Maria's wedding on 8/3. We rented the slip and slide yesterday and we all out in the sun soaking the whole neighborhood all day yesterday. We are all sunburned...well except Nikki and Leah( genetics are a good thing sometimes). It has been so hot here with average highs above 100 degrees so it was fun to get wet. We had all of the little kids in the neighborhood playing all morning, took a lunch break and then the older kids came including Alex's 16th birthday party crowd. About 16 kid came over, mostly choir kids in Alex's age group and we played, then Mom and I cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, we ate dinner and opened presents. Alex got a check from us, an album of pictures about his life from his Mom, some kid toys from the girls and we also got him a golf hat and then had Phil Mickelson autograph it( the Heidens in the ward went to school with Phil's wife- turns out she's a mormon girl). He seemed happy with the gifts and the response to his party. The party goers all left around 8 pm to go get ready for the stake dance. It was a fun day but boy I'm tired today as I've been attending meeting since 5:30 this am. Here's Mom Sean...she types faster than I do so it always makes more sense for her to write. Take care of your self, we love you and miss you but know you are going that which is most important for you and the Lord. We are still trying to get some packages out to you so tomorrow I'll mail them and then send you the details so next p-day you should have the details and hopefully they will get there by then end of the month. I love you and hope you know how proud we are of you. Brother Shaw said to say hi this morning when I ran into him at our bishop's meetings. He enjoyed the MTC pictures you sent him. I love you, Dad
July 15, 2007
Hi Elder Sean,
How are you this week? I keep thinking about your cooler winter weather and wish you could send us some. We are melting here. We kind of hibernate during the day and then come out around 8pm and hang out in the shade on our porch til late. Tonight while we were hanging out with the Hugentoblers on the back porch, the Teuscher's showed up all of a sudden with homemade ice cream. How fun was that! They're such a great couple.
As you heard from dad's letter, Alex's bash was a lot of fun. We rented a snow cone machine for the weekend which has been a hit with everyone. It feels so good to munch on ice in the heat. It was fun having Alex's friends here. I don't know a lot of the girls yet and even a couple of the boys were unfamiliar. I'm sure as they get more mobile with cars, etc, I'll be seeing a lot more of all of them. They seem like a really nice group of friends.
Speaking of friends, dad and I ran into Matt Nolan at the movies the other night. He looked good, looks like he's lost a little weight. He said Tyler D. was going to be moving back in with him. Tyler's really been quite a nomad this summer going from home to home. Hasn't made it to our home yet. I hope he finds what he's looking for. I'm going to try and visit his mom when I go down to Utah this week. I also saw Houston today at church. He was at the singles ward eating at their linger longer. He gave Alex and I some watermelon on our way out. He leaves the end of August and sounds excited to get going, said he's anxious to be in your neck of the neighborhood.
It's weird having just the girls here, but it's not any quieter, in fact it might even be louder. Leah and Nikki have more energy than anyone I know. I hope they have that same enthusiasm for the gospel as they get older. They really love life.
So how are your investigators? It's interesting what you said about people's conversations about the Virgin. I see the statues and idols here of the Virgin, but I guess I didn't realize how much of it was a worship of the Virgin herself. I think some people just feel good because they have something they believe strongly in and that's all that matters.
I'm glad to hear that you're playing the piano a bit there. I had to laugh about your blues prelude music. I can remember doing that same thing myself except I started playing an Elton John piece very reverently and slowly. No one even looked up. I guess they don't really listen after all, but they sure notice if there's no music or if it stops. :)
I sent a couple pictures I found on the internet that you had asked about, but I'm also going to look while I'm down in Provo this week so I can just send them in the mail or even scan them and attach them. Does the guy that makes the scriptures just look at the picture and try to copy it? Are you able to print out letters and pictures from our emails? Just trying to figure out how this all works. The one picture I can't picture in my mind is the first vision with Joseph in the background. Do you know who painted it or where you saw it?
A few questions--So what's your typical day like? What's your pension like also? Do you have a maid? Do you guys cook a lot of your own meals or do you have a lot of dinner appointments? Are there just 2 of you in your pension?
I hope you're feeling well and that the language is coming along. I think of you so often and if there's anything I can do to help you on your mission, please let me know. I love being a part of it. It's a cause I believe very strongly in and the gospel gives me a lot of energy. I love the work. Remember to keep a good balance in your missionary work. Take care of yourself both physically and spiritually daily. If you are willing and able, the spirit will work through you.
Say hi to your comp for me. I still appreciate those first few words he typed to us. It meant a lot to hear from him. Remember that when you are a trainer one day.
Have a wonderful week.
Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox
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