19 Aug 2007

August 19, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,

Well, we finally broke the drought here in Boise and had a couple little rainstorms today and the weather dropped by about 10 degrees too which was great. Leah was complaining that it was too cold, but we had every door and window open. The fresh rain smelled wonderful. It looks like the much bigger storm, Hurricane Dean missed your brother by going to the south of the DR. However, it's pounding Jamaica right now which is where Travis Hugentobler is. We got a letter from the mission office last week warning us about the hurricane but letting us know they were prepared for it. The Hugentobler's got a letter too and said each elder had to have 5 days of food and water and each ZL had their cars filled with gas. I'm sure they'll be losing power this week too and the elders will be doing a lot of service around the around to help restore etc. We haven't had to watch the storm tracker for quite a while. It was like old times being tuned into the weather station.

The other night I was sitting outside on the porch and I could see the shuttle Endeavor go through the night sky. It was very tiny and unlike a plane at all as it traveled fairly fast across the sky. You can go to a website here and find out what time of night you can see it pass by. It reminded me of when we'd go to the bridge in Hilton Head and watch the launches from Florida (of course that was much more impressive than a little dot across the sky). I would love to see a launch some day.

So how has your week been? We were pretty busy the first part of the week having Trevor and Tyler here. It was great having them here. They hung out with Alex the whole time. One day they went to the cannery and did a shift (which was a real eye opener for them), they went to Stake Priesthood mtg together, went to bday parties that Alex went to, went swimming at Bill and Nancy's, movies, shopping at Saver's and the mall. You should see the things they bought at Saver's, interesting would be a mild word. They stayed with us until Thurs night and then drove back down to Provo.

Alex passed his test and now has his driver's permit. He's doing well so far, but the girls are quite the backseat drivers with him. It's pretty funny. Nikki is always telling him what to do and where to go. Kristina critiques his every move and Leah questions every move. I love it. I think it kind of humbles him. He has to drive with us now for 6 months.

Friday night was Kristina's big High School Musical2 party. She requested blue drinks with umbrellas and grilled p-nut butter and jelly sandwiches and plenty of candy. She had quite a few girls here. She took over the downstairs for that. The little girls and dad and I watched the show upstairs and Alex went down the street to a friend's house who was also having a HSM2 party.

The next day was my 11 yr old scout day camp. Alex did a great job with the axes as usual and dad was such a big help. This year the boys lashed a monkey bridge as well as a tribuchet (sp?)so they got to catapult tennis balls. Everyone said they had a fun time and it went very smoothly. I've heard through the rumor mill that I'm going to be released from that calling now, but we'll see. I'm still Bear den leader in our ward too, RS pianist and patriarchal blessing typer, so I have plenty of other things to keep me busy. I have to go to Cabella's tomorrow to prepare for our Bear den scavenger hunt which we're having there this week. I'm sure I won't have to twist dad's arm to go to Cabella's with me.

Also this week Thomas Gulbrandsen got his mission call-Salt Lake City South mission and he reports on Oct 31st. It was kind of a shock to him at first, but I think he'll enjoy it. Grandma and Grandpa Thompson said they'd keep their eyes out for him.

We ran into Jared's parents last night at the movies. They said they go to Majestic every week. They're much calmer now that they've heard from Jared and know that he's doing well. They said he's really enjoying the call center the most. Hopefully I'll get some letters from him to send to you through the pouch. I'm going to Mitch's farewell next Sunday and I'll let you know how that goes.

You had quite a list for us in your last letter. I have some of the things to send to you, but others we might just wait until later. Are you not able to get batteries down there?

Bro. Pinder came up to me and was so excited that you wrote to him. He said it brought a flood of memories back to him and said to tell you thank you so much for thinking of him.

Here are some missionary tips from a little booklet I have. I'll send you a few every so often.
1. Excavate the dirt out of the grooves of your name tag on a regular basis (especially since you get a lot of dirty wind there).
2. Take photos of the common, every day scenes from each area (laundromat, super market, apartment, etc)
3. Stand every time you greet the mission president's wife.
4. Get to church early on Sundays.
5. Sing a hymn after companion study.

I was so happy to hear your attitude about the less active members in your area. Everywhere we move in life, I've felt the importance of trying to help those who have once felt that burning testimony gain it back again. The gospel requires much and it can be overwhelming, but it's baby steps, line upon line, that will help their roots in the truth grow deep and strong. Also a good friend can be priceless to those who are searching. Every new member should receive some kind of calling in the ward immediately so they can interact and get to know others and so that they can begin to feel the joy that comes from selfless service and so that they can gain testimonies of other aspects of the gospel. I'm so glad to hear that you are committed to finding and helping souls whether in or out of the church.

I hope you have a great week. Remember to act quickly to the urgings and promptings you feel. The Holy Ghost's promptings are time sensitive.

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