2 Dec 2007

Dec. 2, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, this week we are still in the party mode I guess. G & G Thompson and Charmaine have been here for Leah's baptism. Leah got baptized Sat. morning by your brother Alex. He did a great job. Leah was so cute about it. She was sooo excited, but she said she was so nervous too. Dad confirmed her and everything went smoothly. Then we went to Deseret Book and Leah picked out a set of scriptures and a scripture case. She got her name put on the scriptures too and now she's just dying to start marking her scriptures. Then we all went to the Golden Corral for lunch. Leah and Nikki were in heaven there, of course. So many choices.

That night we all went to the festivities in downtown Eagle where we watched Alex and his group from the Kofoed's perform. It was very cold, as usual. The free hot chocolate from Doug's was very welcomed. We also went to the live nativity at the 7th Day Adventist Church. The camels were the big hit there. All in all, a very nice day for Miss Leah.

How was your week? Jonny Stevens' mom was asking about you at church. She says Jonny is keeping busy teaching charlas and is doing well.

This week my Spanish was put to the test and I'm pretty sure I failed miserably. I went over to the Hill's house to give Sis. Hill a present for her new little baby. Her parents are here from Cancun, Mexico helping her for a while. When I got to the house, only her mom and her little 2 year old were there. Her mom only speaks Spanish. She invited me in, which was easy to understand, but then after that I actually had to have some kind of conversation with her. We smiled a lot, which goes a long way. I spoke my best baby Spanish and she seemed to understand, but when she spoke back to me, she forgot to speak in baby Spanish because I couldn't understand. I think the rule of thumb here is, if someone speaks to you in baby English (or whatever language) you should always speak back in that same baby English. It was fun and I was thinking I should really force myself to go over there and talk with them every day. It's hard work.

Are the Polacio's still coming to church? How about Rodrigo? Be sure to keep learning flamenco or tango songs on the guitar, because I want you to teach them to me. I got out the guitar tonight and started playing Lemon Tree (I know, I know, it's a family favorite!) and Kristina sang with me while I harmonized. My repertoire is very limited, I know pretty much all the anti-war songs of the 70's, so I could use some new songs.

I was glad to hear you had a good Thanksgiving. Is there only Coke to drink there? There's so many nice flavored waters here now. My favorite is a Crystal Light Pomegranite and it's hard to keep everyone in the family from taking it.

Kirk had some friends over on the weekend for a game night. Ryan Burningham came home from his mission a few days ago, so they've been hanging out. I was thinking how fun it will be to see all your friends at our house again back together after the missions.

Alex was with us most the weekend mostly because I grounded him for sleeping in last week and missing first period. He was miserable because his friends kept calling and asking him to do things, but I stuck to my guns and forced him to stay home. Let's hope his alarms work this week.

Kristina is slowly but surely turning into a teenager. She finally got to take her studs out of her ears and can wear fun new earrings. She looks so grown up. Dad and I went with her to Young Women in Excellence the other night.

Leah, of course, is close to perfection right now. Clean from her baptism and pretty free from any sins. She's trying hard and it's fun to see her grow in her understanding.

Nikki had a hard day at church. Couldn't quite conform to the sacrament mtg rules of sitting quietly. She cried after church when she had to sit in time out and gave herself a bloody nose. Same old, same old. But she had a lot of fun playing Apples to Apples tonight with us. You should have seen the choices the girls made. They made the game pretty funny.

Dad is working a night shift tonight. 2 other ER docs are leaving the group and it's going to be hard on the ones left unless they find someone new to replace them. All the politics of the hospital sometimes take the fun out of working there. He's going to be starting tithing settlements next week, so he'll be pretty busy. In fact, I have to find another date to take me to the adult Christmas dinner. Alex was going to take me, but he just informed me that he'll be serving the food there. Maybe Kirk will be up for the challenge. We watched the First Presidencies Christmas fireside tonight. I enjoyed the talks and the choir's songs as well as the orchestra. Pres. Hinckley did well but is really looking and sounding so much older now. He's an amazing man and a true testament to enduring to the end.

Our house guests are leaving in the morning. It's been fun having them here. Grandma and Grandpa brought things here for us to send to you, so we'll get that out to you tomorrow.

I'd love for you to write us another handwritten letter with lots of details. I'd love to hear about where you live now, your meals, your daily schedule, how your Spanish is coming along, etc.

We have 2 baptisms that are going to take place in our ward in the next couple weeks. One is a woman who's husband is actually an inactive member. She came to church today and I think she really enjoyed Relief Society today. Also Alex Erickson's girlfriend is still taking the lessons. She came today and said she was taking her 4th lesson tonight. I told Kirk he should sit in on some of her lessons so he could be part of some English speaking lessons. She said she'll definitely let me know when she gets baptized. lt should be soon. She and Alex are very serious and I'm pretty sure they'll be engaged shortly. It's hard to believe he came home the same time as Kirk.

I hope you're feeling stronger and doing well this week. I was glad to hear you got the brace and that it helps a little. Even crutches would be very helpful. Anything to keep weight off your knee. Here's a few missionary tips for the week:
1. Remember to fill the font for baptisms.
2. Take a copy of an old talk to sacrament meetings; if the bishop calls on you without warning, you'll be prepared.
3. Get to know the missionary couples well.
4. Read the Book of Mormon every day of your mission.
5. Arrange your schedule so you can tract at least a little each day.
6. Write a letter to your companion's parents, grandparents, or family.

Better close my thoughts now. My heart and thoughts are always with you. I'm looking forward to our Christmas call from you. Find ways to make your Christmas season wonderful. You'll never regret a service filled month. Take care.

Love you much,
momxoxoxoxoxo