23 Mar 2008

March 23, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, here we are in California. We're still in a little bit of weather shock. It's 80 degrees here and we left 40 degrees, so all of us are really hot. It feels great though and we sat outside at Mike and Susan's until the mosquitos came. We had quite a feast this afternoon. There were about 50 of us all together. I'll try to give you a roll call of who was there. Kirk flew down the same time as us yesterday, so it was fun seeing him again. He's looking older every day (but then again that's what he probably thinks every time he sees us!|) Toni came with Patrice, 2 of Patrice's friends from Provo, McKenna and Joe, Hannah, Cami and Sam. Ron even showed up for a little bit to say hi. Jan and Jeff, Jeffrey with 2 of his roommates who were from Japan and spoke very little English, Heidi and Cameron, Mary, David, Katie and her fiance Greg. Scott and Janet and their 2 boys. David and Caryn and their 5 kids including 2 extra little ones whom they are trying to adopt. Patrice and Dennis. Maria and James and Susan and Mike with their 5, plus grandma and grandpa. So there you have it. I rarely saw the little girls since they were busy with Sarah and Taylor Starr. Cousins are wonderful.

We're back at Jan and Jeff's now where we're staying. Last night we went to Mike and Susan's and went to dinner with them and the kids. Kirk went to the beach with the older cousins and had a big bon fire. Alex went to the Orange Stake dance after dinner with Parker, Sam and David. I'm sure they were quite a dancing force.

Today we went to church with Jan and Jeff which was fun. David spoke in sacrament mtg and Jan taught the lesson in RS so it was fun to be there with them. In RS Jan taught about Elder Eyring's talk from last conference about O Remember, Remember. She talked about seeing the hand of the Lord in her life and then she told them that she's always had a hero in her life and that was me. She talked about how I've always been there for her even when she was a teenager going through so much turmoil in her life and how she'd sneak into my room so she could talk to me and how I'd help her. Some of the things she said, I didn't know she felt that way. It was very touching. She also talked about Elder Eyring's beginning remarks when he tells of coming home late at night and seeing his father in law busy carrying pipes from the house and working on them, and then how he heard the words come to him to record what he saw and how he at first didn't know what was so significant about seeing his father in law working, but then realized how he didn't have to be doing what he was doing so late at night, that he could have hired someone, but that he was just there doing it. Then he realized by writing this down, it was there for posterity to also see and then to see the hand of the Lord in their lives and how blessed they were. Then Jan remembered when she was just a young mom and living in Orange and waking up one morning to the sound of someone whistling in their backyard. When they got out of bed and looked out the window, there was my dad sprinkling seeds across the grass. He said he just wanted the lawn to look good for them since they were going to be living there. He didn't have to be there, he was just there out of love. I cried just hearing that story, because that's so grandpa isn't it? My dad's a great example of charity to me and I continue to learn so much from him.

So how was your week? I hope things are going well with your families. Remember that testimonies quickly received are also quickly forgotten. Time, many meetings with many different people from the ward and from the missionaries, and opportunities to feel the spirit in church meetings will build a stronger foundation. When you are meeting with families and talking with them and you feel the spirit, mention it to them also so they begin to recognize what they are feeling. We are still praying for the Moreno and the Gonzalez family. I hope they are doing well.

Back home Lindsay Gill gave her farewell talk. We were sorry to miss it and she'll report to the MTC on Wed. Dad and I went to visit her last Friday before we left. She's so anxious to just get out there. Also last Wed. Ashton checked into the MTC. In 2 weeks the Kynaston's will be entering the MTC, they got called to the Fort Lauderdale, FL mission. Sis. TRanstrum was in the hospital a couple days last week, so dad and I went to visit her. She had a kidney infection. she's feeling better now. I told her how you wanted us to go to her house and play for her. I'm trying to convince Alex to sing something. We'll definitely work on it, because I want to do it for her.

Tomorrow we're going to Universal Studios. Cami Caudill is going with us. I haven't been there for a long time, so it should be fun. We'll have pix for you next week of everyone and everything we do.

Did you get our packages? If so, how did you like them? We miss you but love knowing that where you are is where Heavenly Father wants you to be. I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially as I've been thinking of the atonement so much this Easter season. Having the fullness of the gospel is a miracle in my life and I can't forget that. I feel very blessed. Thank you for your dedication and love of the gospel and for your love for the people around you. We love you and you're always in our prayers.

Everyone asked about you and said to say hi.
Love you,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo