31 Aug 2008

August 31, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
It always seems to happen. The first week of school the weather takes a turn towards fall. Of course, I'm loving it. Fall is my favorite season. I even seem to make more quilts in the fall, maybe because I have more time with the kids in school or maybe because the weather just draws me towards that.

Kirk is getting ready to leave back for school this week. His girl, Rachel and her friend Laura are flying in here this Tuesday and staying until Wed when Kirk will drive them all back to school. So on Tuesday (even though it's cooler now) we're renting one of the inflatable slip and slides for the afternoon. Kirk has never been here when we've rented one. So he's anxious to see it. He's been working at the Blue and Orange store this week and it really got busy over the weekend since BSU had their first game, which they won easily against ISU. BYU also won their opening game. Kirk said that Travis said their goal for Saturday was to sell $28,000 worth of merchandise. It was so busy all day and Kirk said by 2pm they had already sold over $25,000 so they were definitely going to exceed their goal. Travis says it's that way every weekend of a game.

Dad had to work today so it was strange not seeing him on the stand. In fact, Bro. Crosgrove was the only member of the Bishopric here today. He was funny and I'm sure will be very happy to have everyone back. Also this weekend, the Erickson's moved out. They're renting a home in Boise now. A new family moved in across the street. I went over and met them yesterday, a young couple with 2 children. The Yorgason's have had some hang-ups with the people who are supposedly buying their house and they are in limbo for now, not knowing if they will actually be selling their house or not. There was also a new family in the ward today, they said they had 5 children, the Ferguson's. The ward is changing a bit, but not too much. It's all good.

Also today we had new sister missionaries in our ward and one of them is from Apia, Samoa. Her village is very close to where the girls' village is and she knew exactly where it was. In fact, she said that was in her ward. So they came over tonight and she looked at the pictures we have of the girls' birth family. She said some of them look very familiar and she's pretty sure she knows who their uncle is. She took some pictures and will be sending them back home. I don't know what will happen here, but whatever it is, it is meant to be. The little girls were very excited to have her here and talk with her. She is learning English and speaks well. I'll send you a picture of her with the girls. She looks like she could be Leah's older sister which made Leah just beam. It's hard to believe that Sister Aleki lived in a fale all her life and got called to come here. It must be quite a culture shock.

The sister missionaries brought an investigator with them to church today. It's a young father who happen to go through the Twin Falls open house and got interested and wanted to know more. They've been meeting with him and he came to church today.

Leah starts piano lessons tomorrow with Sally Larsen. I thought Sally would be a good teacher for her and Leah is very excited. Nikki wants me to teach her, so I may start teaching her. So far they are really liking school and of course now they have a 4-day weekend already. Leah got the best teacher around. She got Mrs. Wheadon who happens to be Marvin J. Ashton's daughter. Everyone told me she was the best and I'm excited to see how it goes for Leah this year. Kristina is absolutely loving middle school, but I knew that she would. She hangs out with Samantha Yorgason and Claire Cameron, so she's in great company. Alex is now the big man on campus, being a senior. I hope he enjoys his senior year. He's always planning a party or a get together with his friends, quite the social butterfly. He has bishop Tanner for his seminary teacher and says it's a great class.

The Patriarch has been very busy lately which means I have been very busy with him. Today Sis. Sorensen caught my attention from the stand and held up 4 fingers which means they have 4 tapes for me to tape. I just finished typing 4 from these last few days. Some ward must have had a lesson on Patriarchal blessings. I'm also taking the cubs swimming this Wed at the Houssian's. They have to pass off a few things in the pool and then the rest of the time they can play. Should be fun.

I'm glad you got the package and liked it. Why did your ward announce that you were leaving? I thought you weren't leaving until your next transfer. They must be very fond of you. I know that you've done a lot of work with so many of them. It's wonderful to get to know people that well. Many of them will be friends for life. Did the Funes girl have her baptism? I hope things are still going well with their family.

Sorry to hear about Maxi's confusion. Sometimes when you don't act quickly on the initial promptings and feelings you have, they fade with time and it appears and feels like confusion. We're meant to respond quickly and show faith. I think when we wait, Satan sees an open door and finds his way in.

We got a message from Sister Robinson this week. I'm so sorry we weren't home at the time, but she left a really nice message about what a wonderful young man you are and what a nice meeting they had with you and your companion. Are they in Argentina now? I couldn't really tell by her message where she called us from. Sounds like a fun mission to be the medical directors.

You asked the question about establishing the gospel and living the gospel. My immediate and slightly simple response to that was that establishing the gospel uses more words and written commands whereas living the gospel becomes what we do with the words we've been given. It becomes one continuous round though, because as we live the gospel, we establish the gospel with deepened roots and receive more knowledge (words, etc) because of our experiences in staying true to the faith.

I hope you had a great week and have found some more people who have been prepared to hear the message. The Lord knows where they are and when they are ready. How is the Fernandez family doing? Tell them hello for me. Also, I haven't heard from Hma. Paez lately. I'll try to get another letter to her. Tell her I think of her often and hope she is doing well.

To answer some of your questions from the last letter-
Yes, Alex was wearing your baseball shirt, but he said it's tight on him and thinks it won't fit you. Tell me if you seriously want it or maybe I can find one just like it and buy a new one for you.
Yes, dad got new glasses. They're much better than his old ones. Of course, he really wants lasik surgery, but we'll have to see about that. I'll try to find a picture of him up close.

Have a great day and a marvelous week. My prayers and love and thoughts are always with you.
Love you much,
momxoxoxoxooxo