24 Aug 2008

Aug. 24, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
I've been catching a little of the closing ceremonies for the olympics. All I can say is, people are very creative. Every olympics ceremony comes up with something new and innovative and it's a visual treat.

Today Leah VanWagenen reported her mission to the 8th ward and the singles ward. I heard it was really nice. Kirk talked with her a little in the singles ward. She's off the BYU next week. The Purnell boys got their mission calls this week. Preston is going to Santiago West Chile and Dalton is going to Vina del Mar (Jared's mission). They both report to the MTC in November which seems like a long ways off. They are both very excited. I'll try to hook Dalton up with Jared or at least get some info for him. Maybe Jared will be his trainer.

In our ward today the Jensen's spoke. They are moving to the 8th ward next week. The talks were wonderful and they will really be missed in our ward. they're very excited about a new adventure and having a new home though. So I'm happy for them and they really won't be far. I'm going to be working a lot with Julie Jensen this year. She's the choir booster president and I've told her I'd help her throughout the year.

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Leah, Nikki and Kristina have all laid out their clothes for the morning on the floor in their bedrooms. I doubt Alex has done that. Actually he always has clothes laid out on the floor. hahahaha Alex got his senior pictures taken yesterday. I'm excited to see them. Hard to believe he's a senior and he's managed to stay a tenor.

Kirk worked the fair all last week, so of course he came home with lots of info about the VitaMix machine. Remember those days. I made salsa with it the other day and it tasted sooooo good. There's nothing like homemade salsa with it all coming from the garden. This week Kirk will be working at the car lot and at the Blue and Orange store.

Today Kirk, Alex, Kristina and I went to the Twin Falls temple dedication via satellite. It was wonderful and always a joy to see Pres. Monson and hear him speak. He always has a twinkle in his eye and a funny story to tell. Dad stayed home with Nikki and Leah.

I sent you copies of Pres. McCauley's, Pres. Stafford's and Bishop Hoopes' talks from our stake conference. I sent them through dearelder, so hopefully you'll get them this Friday. We just got another letter from you in the mail this week, so it was a nice surprise. Let us know when our package gets to you.

So have Maxi and Vanessa gotten married yet? I'm happy to hear that they're at least thinking about that now. That's a big step forward. Remind me again how they are related to the Gonzalez family. Speaking of them, how are they doing? Do they need more fervent prayers on our behalf. I think of them often and enjoy looking back at their pictures. As I'm nearing the end of reading the Book of Mormon again, I'm reminded of how powerfully the spirit bears witness of its truthfulness when I read it, even when I've read it several times in my life and I was thinking about them and felt that if they could just continue to receive that powerful witness from the Holy Ghost (which is now their gift in life) and one of the fastest ways to feel that is to reread the Book of Mormon. I am so thankful to those faithful prophets who gave so much in order for us to have this book. Their knowledge of Christ and His gospel was so great that it could only come from one source, Christ Himself. It is so evident that they were led by and ministered by Him.

I hope you are doing well as you are moving into this new training phase. It's interesting that you get to know that you'll be transferring in another 5 weeks and that you're training someone to take over your spot. Did you get a new companion?

Just talked with Jan. Katie got married yesterday and everything went well. Katie and Graig are moving to SLC on Tuesday and will be living in the basement of his brother's house. It's been a little bit of a rocky relationship but hopefully things will smooth out as they move on with their lives, get jobs and start life together. Can't remember if I told you that Ben and Alyssa had a baby girl and they are doing well. In fact, they came down for Katie's wedding.

I hope all is well with you. Have your headaches been subsiding a bit? I hope so. You're such an inspiration to us, Sean and it touches my heart to see how much you enjoy working in the gospel, whether it's teaching or organizing or counseling with the President. You have such a love for the gospel, it's evident in what you do and the in the words you speak and write. Thank you for sharing your testimony with not only the people in Cordoba but also with us. It means more than you'll know.

Have a great and marvelous week.
Love you,
momxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxxoxox