31 May 2007

May 31, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,
How has your week been? I really enjoyed your last letters and it's amazing to hear the missionary experiences you're having already in the MTC. Time is already going by quickly and I know you are probably feeling it too. Soak up all that wonderful strong spirit of the MTC, record your feelings and experiences in your journal because you will draw upon them when you are out in the field.

Have you gotten your suit yet? Let us know when it arrives and make sure it fits properly, etc. Next I'll look into the bag you're talking about. I realize it will be much easier to get things to you while you're still in Provo.

Here are some of the addresses you asked for:
G&G Trumbo
3015 E. La Veta
Orange, CA 92869

G&G Thompson
9552 S. 1335 E.
Sandy, UT 84092

Pres. McCauley
2611 W. State
Eagle, ID 83616

Yorgason
2150 W. Champagne Ct.
Eagle, ID 83616

Charmaine Thompson
225 N. 600 E.
Provo, UT 84606

Steve & Carolina
1599 N. 1550 E.
Provo, UT 84604

I sure hear from a lot of people that they've gotten letters from you. Yesterday I heard from Tiffany, so I included her in the forward list. I tried calling the Youngs but Sis. Young wasn't home. I'll try again tomorrow. Andrea J. came over today for some help with quilting. She said she really enjoys your letters too. We had a really nice visit. Her family invited us over for a bbq on the 4th of July. That sounds fun and we don't have any other plans, so we may do that. Dad has to work the day shift that day.

I think I need to have a p-day each week too. I sure could use some time to catch up on some things. I've been getting up earlier in the morning and it's amazing how much more I get done in a day when I do that.

Kristina gave a talk in Primary last Sunday and she used your story about teaching the Buddhist. She talked about the restoration and how it really is the one thing that sets us apart in the world, our knowledge of the answer to Joseph's prayer. She did a good job. Nikki gave the motto. She said she was going to do it by herself, but when it came time she just stood up there and looked longingly at me at the back of the room until I came up and stood behind her for moral support.

Sunday didn't start out too well for me. As I was backing the car out of the garage, I accidentally hit Barkley. All I heard was yelping and crying. It was a horrible sound that I don't ever want to hear again. I stopped the car and got out and looked underneath expecting to see a crumpled mess of a dog. But he had hobbled away, so I walked over to him and he was still crying holding out his left front paw. I told him I was sorry and examined him. I could see the tire marks that had run over his paw. I was actually so relieved to see that that was the only place I had hit him. It could have been so much worse. I stayed with him for a few minutes and determined it was ok to go to church. There was only a little blood. But I knew I had to go back and check on him during SS. He was still in the same place when I got home, but he hobbled into the house where I stayed with him for a little bit to make sure he was ok. By the time I got back from church the second time, you could barely tell that he had been hit at all. And by nighttime, he was walking just fine. I was so glad. Anyway, that was my excitement for Sunday.

We've had Nikki home all week since she's graduated now. She's a fun buddy to have around even though she insists on sitting on me or hanging onto me every waking minute.

Dad is now building a retaining wall out by the garden. It looks pretty good. The VanWagenen's are coming Saturday to pour the foundation for the shed which they will be building. It will be nice to have a place for all the lawn equipment.

This Sunday we're having all the Seniors here with their parents. Dad is making a frame for each senior and in it he's placing different pictures of Christ. I look forward to having the seniors here.

Monday night for Memorial Day, we had over the Hugentobler's, the Leifson's, the Erickson's, the Poulson's, the Kent's. There were so many kids in our backyard and they played lots of fun games. We had a big bbq. The weather was beautiful and the company was the best. You should have seen all the kids playing Red Rover. Billy would get clotheslined every time.

Who are some speakers you've been able to hear from this week? I'm still jealous you got to hear from Glen L. Pace. I love re-reading his book Spiritual Plateaus. It helps me keep the big picture in my mind as I go about all my daily activities and to stay focused. Remember to keep focused on the work you've been called to do and whom you are serving. The Lord knows you're a willing and faithful young man and He will give you the thoughts and the words to speak in order to accomplish His great work here, if you keep yourself worthy and clean.

We are all well here, Sean and we pray for you every day. I can't tell you how much it means to receive your letters, hear your stories and feel a little of the spirit you're feeling there. It increases my testimony and makes me want to be better. Keep up the good work. I know that it's hard work too, but I hope every day brings you joy.

Much love,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
ps. I'll get back to you about the extra bag. Haven't had time to check into it yet.
pss. Did you get the music I sent?
psss. Dad says your exercise worksheet is super long, so he's going to try to condense it and then print it out. Maybe he's already told you that. Sorry if it's a repeat story.