Elder Alex-8/17/10

Aug. 17, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
It was great getting your letter today. You sound good and I'm so glad you got a chance to sing while in the MTC. I know your time is short there, so I wasn't sure if you'd even be able to have the opportunity. Of course, I wish I could have heard it. Music can sometimes bring the spirit into a room faster than any other way.

This past weekend was Stake Conference. I was so happy when the Saturday evening session was over since I was one of the speakers. But I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's talks and was very uplifted by our stake conference. It seems like it's been so long since we've been to our ward and now this coming weekend we will be going to Austin's ward for his farewell. He and Jared came over last night. We played Wits and Wagers and then they went bowling. Sound familiar?? Sean is still here and will be here until around the 26th of August. Still no job but he probably holds the record for the most applications sent in.

We've been having David and Caryn's boys here the last few nights. Caryn's dad passed away and I went to his funeral today. Her dad was such a character, loved life, loved people and always cussed up a storm, but he was one of the most generous men I've known. He and his wife took in several extra children through the years and raised them as their own. His children shared lots of funny stories about him.

Looks like we'll be getting some new neighbors in a month in Karla's house. Jeff and Audra Davis are going to be renting her home for at least one year. Looks like Eddie will have a comrade, Frank, to buddy around with. It will be so nice having them in there. I've really missed having the Adcock's there.

Kristina got her driving permit today and is ecstatic about it. She took this super fast drivers' ed classin Emmett-2 DAYS!! Kind of weird, but hey she's done with it. I told her she will need to drive with me for probably more than 6 months since her class was so short. She's okay with that. Her teacher said she's actually a very good driver. She even drove on the freeway today. So we'll keep you posted on her driving skills or lack thereof.

Kirk is busy working for Travis. The fair starts this weekend, so he'll be busy with that too. Leah and Nikki are missing you, but Nikki does her best to take over for the humorous side of our family. They are in their bathing suits with the Leifson girls right now playing in the sand with the hose.

Dad is working in Weiser today. He'll be working his first shifts in Ontario Oregon the end of this month. Hopefully those will go well because they are shorter shifts and not as far to drive. He's also got 11 yr old Day Camp this weekend. Fond memories, eh?

I guess you heard that Tyler Trumbo came home early. I had some good talks with him while in California. You can tell he's very penitent and the remorse is very strong. He's looking for things to do in life to fill his void like family history, etc. I feel for him, but he's in good spirits and now has a stronger than ever desire to make good choices. He asked me to write him occasionally and keep in contact, so I'll be sure to do that. This next year will be pivotal for him.

Sounds like Cole is doing well and also David. I put your MTC address on your facebook, so hopefully you'll hear from a few people. Lots asked about you this past weekend. The email you used, is that the address we will be writing to once you're in the field?

Learn as much as you can from these experiences you're having in your district and in the MTC. Watch and listen to the way your Branch President responds to situations. These are all things for you to learn and will be beneficial to you later in life and also on your mission. You've been so blessed to have such awesome leaders always around you. Your dad is your greatest example of all and I know you'll realize that as life goes on. Their examples will come back to your mind often and you will be grateful. That's how powerful other people's testimonies and actions are. Remember that, as you are sharing your testimony with others.

We will do our best to get some of your "needs" to you before you depart. The only thing we can't ship is whitening mouth wash. They don't let you send liquids through the mail, so you'll just have to pick some up when you get in your first apartment.

We stood and sang Called to Serve at the funeral today. I wasn't thinking about Caryn's dad when we sang it though...
I'm so thankful you have been called and for how willing you are to serve. Keep up the great work and always remember whose work it is.
I love you very much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoox