6 Jul 2008

July 6, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, we just finished a rousing couple of hours of games here. Jan and David tried to leave this evening, but their plane got delayed which would have caused them to miss their next plane, so they are now back with us. Jeff and Katie are still here too because they aren't leaving until Tues. So now Jan and David will leave first thing in the morning. Kirk just called and he got home safe and sound.

Speaking of Kirk--he brought a girl home with him for the weekend!! He told me he had been dating this girl named Rachel for a few weeks, but I was pretty surprised when he said he was bringing her home for the weekend along with Mary. Mary said she felt like a third wheel, but hopefully it wasn't that bad. Rachel was really nice and got along well with the whole family. She came on crutches because she wrecked her knee playing basketball. She plays competitive basketball and volleyball at BYUI. She's going to have surgery during the break in August. Meanwhile, Kirk takes her to school each day and to her doctor's appointments and shopping. Yes, he likes her. But we'll have to see where it goes from here. I just think it's good for Kirk to have the experience of having a girlfriend. Nikki and Leah teased them the whole time they were here about getting married, so she's already been put through the fire and seemed to pass through just fine. We'll keep you updated on this story.

For the 4th, we went to Jeff's sister's house in Middleton and had a bbq. We left after the bbq and went home to do our fireworks. Dad found some sweet fireworks this year and we put on quite a show. On Saturday, the whole group including lots of Lutz cousins went floating down the Boise. We couldn't find any rafts to go down the Payette. They were all rented out for the weekend. But they were able to rent rafts for the Boise and had a fun time. I took Jan around town to different quilt stores and antique stores. She was very happy. We all met up at Costa Vida for lunch.

We had a fun time with everyone this weekend. From the Lutz family, we had Jan, Jeff, Mary, Katie and David.

You should have seen how small church attendance was today. We looked like a branch but it was a great fast and testimony meeting. Today we started our fast from TV. So far so good. Lots of games going on. Jodie called me tonight to chat (since we have lots of free time now). They had just finished playing a night full of games too. We're going to exchange game ideas. If you have any fun ideas or games you've learned there, please let us know. We'll be desperate for them in a few weeks.

Val McCauley and her children came over tonight and visited. It was so fun to see them again. She's not loving living in Las Vegas and the business that Royce and Brian are trying to start there is not going well, so they are suffering. Lots of tough times economically all around us. It's very humbling. Anyway, she asked about you and wanted to know how things were going.

I just sent off another set of Eagle missionary letters to you. It's fun to read them. In a few weeks Jonathan Loosle will be coming home and then Jared Gooch. Seems like we were just going to all the farewells. Haven't heard of any more mission calls lately.

How was your week?? I loved, loved, loved seeing the pictures of Hna Paez getting her package and wearing her apron. I have an apron for Sis. Olsen that I'll be sending in the next package. Jan's seamstress made it, but Jan gave it to me and I'm sending it off for Sis. Olsen. I think it will be perfect for her. We loved putting together the package of winter clothes for the kids and I'm glad they were able to use them. Any time you need something like that, please let me know.

How's Fernando doing this week? I think about him a lot. Such a struggle to change, but I'm very hopeful for him and our prayers are still with him. How is his family?

It's wonderful to hear your testimony and how much it's grown through your experiences. That's what life's all about. Either you can let your experiences strengthen your testimony or you can let them bring you down or you can pay no heed. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is what will make the difference. If you can see people and events through their eyes, you will become more and more like them.

I miss you, your music, your smile...but knowing you are sharing yourself and your talents with the people around you makes me happy. Keep up the great work and the teachable attitude.

Love you,
mom xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo