15 Jun 2008

June 15, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
How was your week? You sound so happy in your letters and it's fun to hear how immersed you are in the work and how much joy it's bringing you. Sounds like you are teaching quite a few people and we are praying for Romina and others.

Do you still have quite a few commitments for baptism on July 5th? I struggled a little this week about knowing for myself that committing investigators so quickly to baptism was the best thing to do. I prayed each day to know and it's mainly because my heart goes out to those who fall away so quickly. I care about each soul and want each one who has come unto Christ and desired to be baptized to stay with Christ. I prayed each day and very unexpectedly received my answer today during Gospel Doctrine. I was looking down at my scriptures thinking of something completely different when the teacher all of a sudden started talking about committing investigators to baptism on the first or second meeting. It was almost a story out of the blue and didn't have much to do with the lesson at hand. But it was a story for me and I knew at once it was my answer. I knew for sure that the mission of missionaries was to invite all to come unto Christ and those who are willing to progress and ask to know the truth should repent and be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. If they are not willing or have no desire to know the truth, then they are not ready at that time. Perhaps another time and place for them. Then it is up to the members to welcome all newly baptized into the flock. I thanked Heavenly Father for my answer and that He took the time to answer my concerns. Answers always come, we don't always know when or where, but it sure helps to be in the right place at the right time. If I had chosen not to go to Sunday School today, I don't know when or if I would have received my answer.

We had a nice Father's Day mtg today. Kristina gave her first Sacrament mtg talk and did a good job. She said she got so nervous on the stand that her mouth got super dry and she couldn't even swallow the bread and had to wait for the water to try and wash it down. When she told me that, I had a good laugh. I definitely know that feeling of being nervous before a talk. But Kristina sounded very confident up there and I'm sure will be a good speaker in life. She says to say hi to you. The Hugentobler's were the main speakers and they did such a good job. The Young Men and their leaders sang Ye Elders of Israel which really added to the spirit of the meeting.

Dad didn't have any meetings afterwards so we had a dinner for him. Grilled some steaks outside and I made Dorothy's salad to go with it. Dad got some nice present-Home Depot gift certificates, cans of nuts, air rockets, placemat with Nikki's hand prints, mug made by Leah, new cologne (David Beckham cologne).

Yesterday was our 23rd anniversary. The years are just flying by. When I think about it, it seems like just last month that we were dating and planning our wedding.

We sent off a couple packages last week, let us know when you get them. I still haven't heard back from Hma. Paez. I hope she hasn't lost her email address again.

Also yesterday was Eagle Fun Days, so I took the kids downtown for the big parade. Not much changes in that parade, but this year they decided to start it down at the police station and end it at the State Street building. So we sat at the end of the parade which was very sad for the little girls since most people were out of candy by the time they got to us. However, the wet zone was great and everyone got soaked! We sat with the Beagley's and next to the Lamm's, so it was lots of fun. And the weather was perfect, a little on the warm side.

Last Friday I went to Cub Scout camp. It was pretty fun and the boys loved it. I went with a sister in the ward who isn't active, and I loved getting to know her. Her son is in my den, so it will be great to see her more often.

Alex made it through his first week of work and is really enjoying it, so I think he'll make it through the summer and should end up making good money. He and Austin Westerburg get along really well and Alex loves spending time at their house.

I'm really enjoying the sun staying up later. It's 10:30pm here and the sun is just going down. I love it. Dad and I sit out on the back porch and enjoy the cool evenings together. Not tonight thought, because he had to go in to work. He's doing kind of a crazy shift-5pm to 2am. When he gets home, I'll be just getting up so I can take Alex to the airport to catch a flight to Provo for EFY. I'm hoping my alarm works. At least there won't be much traffic at 4:30am.

How is the Gonzalez family doing? I loved your story about Alexi's prayers. He sounds like quite an outgoing young man. How about Romina and Matias? Always let us know who we can pray for each week.

This week, we still have swim lessons, EFY, a ward party, Nikki's Chef Academy. We're also in full swing with the weed pulling season-not fun. Other than that, we are all well and happy. We had the elders over for dinner the other night and they wanted to do their own program with us, so I was only able to tell them about what you mentioned a few letters ago. They brought such a strong spirit into our home. Dad had to work, so he wasn't there, but we had dinner then met out on the back porch for a lesson and they did a great job with the lesson. Lots of interactive stuff that kept Nikki and Leah listening. We practiced giving Books of Mormon to our friends, did some role playing, and learned about listening to the spirit as we share our testimonies with others. Then they left us with a copy to give out. We each are to pray about someone to give the BOM to.

Have a wonderful week. Stay warm and if you have any new pics, send them my way.
Love you,
momxoxooxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxxo