9 Dec 2007

Dec. 9, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,
I decided to write you on Sunday night as usual since I got a letter from Hma. Maria this week telling me you've been transferred to the mission home so you can rest your knee from walking so much. I wasn't sure if that meant you'd have a p-day on Mon or Wed this week.

Thank you so much for asking Maria to write me. She sent me a great picture of you and Elder Richards with their family. She is so sweet and I can't wait to meet her. She said since she was a mom too she knew how I would be feeling and told me you looked great and how impressed with you she is. Thank you for thinking of me and asking her to write. That meant a lot.

So how is your new place? I've been thinking of you all week and I feel very strongly that you will learn so much being there near the President. It will be such a unique experience. You must need to learn something there. So keep your eyes and mind open. Have you been able to rest your knee? When you do have to stand and walk, remember anything that will take the weight off that leg would be helpful. A cane could help a lot. See if you can pick one up somewhere. I'm anxious to hear how you're doing and how you're feeling about your latest transfer. Kirk said in his mission when an elder needed to be in the mission home to rest his knee or foot, etc. those elders learned a much broader Spanish than the rest of the elders because they were running errands for the President (in cars) and interacting with businesses in the community, and usually had natives as companions,etc. So let us know how it's going for you.

Tonight Alex got set apart as a member of the APC. It was fun being in the high council room again with the YM presidency. They look like they'll have a good group for next year. Trent Anderson is the president. Right before that, the Stake had their Christmas concert. It was pretty casual this year, nothing like the years when Diana V. was in charge, but it was nice. It was a sing-a-long and story telling type concert. Before that I went to a baptism of a woman in our ward, Katie Hillman. She even bore her testimony at the end and it was so sweet. She said she always had thoughts about the Holy Father every day in her life and even prayed to Him every day. then one day the Elders showed up at her door and she said one of them was so funny and he just kept coming back and didn't give up. He has since been transferred, but she had nice things to say about the elder who just didn't give up. She said she knew she had to show more commitment to the Lord than just praying to Him every day. Also Alex Ericson's girlfriend announced publicly today that she wanted to be baptized. So good news all around here. When it rains, it pours (after the drought of course).

Before all that, I was asked to do an orientation of some new 11 yr old leaders in the stake. I was released from my stake calling a few months ago, but they said they really needed me to do this one more time. So I was happy to help out. I'm still typing at least 2 patriarchal blessings a week. They just keep coming and I love that calling. In Bears this week, I had them make those plastic-baggy-tied-around-the-hanger wreaths. I also had a fun quilt group mtg this week where we exchanged gifts and had a lunch. I think next year I'm going to force them to play the greed game with all quilting products on the table. That will get very heated.

This morning Nikki said something funny. She and Leah had just gotten up and were in the kitchen opening the fridge looking for something to eat. Then Nikki turned to me and said, "Mom, is today Fast Starving?" She's heard me talking with Leah about it since Leah is baptized now. I love that, fast starving. That may be our new catch phrase here on Fast Sundays.

Sat morning we had our ward Christmas breakfast. Dad and the bishopric had to do the pancake serving. Both Mr. and Mrs. Claus made appearances, we brought canned goods and gently used books and also made jars of cookie mix to give to our neighbors as gifts. It was a well thought out party and went well.

Dad and I were invited to lunch at the Hill's on Sat. Sis. Hill is from Mexico and she wanted to make us a traditional soup that they have all the time there. It was so tasty. She's my visiting teaching partner and I just love being with her.

Fri dad and I got the call that our new car was ready to be picked up, so I am now driving a brand new GMC Acadia crossover. It's so smooth and has so many buttons and gizmos, I haven't even figured them all out. Alex helped me program the XM radio and I'm very spoiled with the heated seats now. It's gotten very cold here all of a sudden and boy do those seats feel good. It's black with a grey and black interior. I'll send some pix next week. Now dad will drive the van to work, Kirk will take the truck to work and to BYU when he goes in January. Although Kirk still likes driving the Mustang quite a bit too.

Today Kirk was asked to speak with the high councilman in the Eagle 2nd ward. He spoke on the spirit of Christmas. I don't know how he did, but he said it went well.

In RS today we had a lesson on the Prophet Joseph. The teacher showed part of the new DVD called Praise to the Man. (BTW, is that the dvd you were talking about that you wanted, or is it the one they show at the Jos. Smith Memorial? That one's not out yet on DVD). I'm going to get Praise to the Man now. The parts we got to see were so good and it was so well done. I've read so much about Joseph Smith, listened to so many talks, etc. but I still learned new things about him. He was an amazing man foreordained and prepared long before he was born for what he needed to do in this life. He had a willing heart and submitted his will to the Lord's, and the Lord used him to do His work. I can never read enough or see enough or hear enough about the Prophet Joseph.

I'm happy to hear that you are willing to continue to work hard despite your limitations right now. When I've had difficult physical times, it's made me appreciate and empathize with other people who have hardships, yet give and give of themselves in whatever way they can. Look for the tender mercies of the Lord in your life, they're there, and you're being guided even though you can't see the big picture. Sometimes as your mom I've gotten glimpses of the big picture for your life and I trust in the Lord and know that He is preparing you in all things. Keep your great attitude-it will be a wonderful asset in your life.

We are well. Time is going by way too fast this Christmas season with so many commitments. I need it to slow down so I can share more of the true meaning with the little girls. I made a resolve today to do just that. I know it's important that should learn this at their young age.

Take care of yourself. We are always here for you. I love you so much.
momxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo