14 Oct 2007

Oct. 14, 2007
Dear Elder Sean,

How are you this week? I got an email from Hermana Carranza. What a fun surprise. Kirk translated it for me. She also included a picture of her husband with her little baby. It will be fun to keep in touch with her.

How is your ward doing? We had quite a few people in church today. I think there were a lot of visitors for some reason. Bro. Jack Stewart bore testimony today and told of knowing Elder Eyring when he was just a young man. Bro. Stewart said he was his home teacher at one point. In SS we learned about Paul in Acts 21, 22 and then watched a short video about his life. To see his life in a synopsis like that was amazing. What a life of sacrifice and struggles, yet never wavering showing such faith. 30 years of missionary service. He's really been on my mind all day because of our lesson.

Kirk went to the singles ward for the first time today and has decided to attend that ward until Jan. when he goes to college. They released Bishop Martinez today and called Bishop Leavitt. Bro. Tinghey and Bro. Stillman are the counselors. Some of Kirk's old friends called him and last night they all went bowling, so I think he really enjoyed it and will like being in the ward with them. He's still looking for a job. Supposedly Rocky Mtn is going to hire him for the front desk but they need to fire someone first. Also we talked with Andrea and Kirk put in an application for Carl's Jr. He may get an application for the new Winco which should be opening Nov. 1. This week Kirk is supposed to do jury duty though. His number didn't get called up for tomorrow, but it looks like he may get called on Tues. Should be interesting for him.

Alex went to homecoming. I was hoping to have some pictures for you, but guess what??? We actually bought a new computer this week. The new operating system isn't out yet, but at the Mac store they told us not to get Leopard until it's been out for 3-6 months, but that we might as well get the computer that it will go on now. So we did. It's beautiful. But there's a big learning curve and it's frustrating that none of our music, email addresses, or photos etc transferred over. Some things made it over, other things for some reason just didn't. So we have been painstakingly spending our time putting things we want on the computer. We got plenty of memory this time. Kirk is helping out a lot with setting it up. It's a flat screen 20" iMac, but of course it will be out of date by the time you get home. I also managed to pick up a new iPod for myself. It's the touch iPod and has everything that the iPhone has except the phone. It's way capo as you would say.

The old computer is now in my quilt room, so if I need info I just use that one.

BTW-BYU won last night and BSU is playing as we speak. The score in the 3rd quarter is 41-44 against Nevada. We're hoping BSU will be able to pull this one off, but they are struggling tonight.

We had dad's birthday dinner today since he had to work yesterday on his birthday. Kristina and Maggie made a 4-layer German chocolate cake. they learned that it isn't a good idea to go that high as it was quite the leaning tower of Pisa. Kristina is looking forward to her 12th b-day this Thursday. She had her last day of Primary today and is very excited about going to Young Women's. Her first activity is going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. Her big thing she wants is pierced ears, so I'll take her this week for that.

Nikki has been learning about Columbus and tells me all about him and especially about his boats, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. She says she loves the names of the boats. She is still so funny and I can't believe how bright she is. Leah is trying awfully hard in school, but is struggling academically. I met with a committee at school this week to see what they can do for her. They are all very anxious to help her and her teacher was there to tell what he had observed too. I just want her to feel some successes in school so her self esteem doesn't suffer. She wants to please so badly, but just doesn't get a lot of what's going on in her class right now. She went over to a friend's house on Sat. Her friend is adopted from China.

Also on Saturday, we went over the Kofoed's where they had a CD release concert in their backyard. The name of their group is E11even since they have 11 in their family. Sis. Kofoed wrote all the music and then they went to Utah where they hired backup musicians and got a recording made. Deseret Book is going to carry it. I bought an extra copy of their CD for you and will send it in the next pkg. Every single kid in their family sings well and it was so fun to see them performing together. They trained Alex on the sound mixer and he practiced quite a bit with them. He did a good job. Sis. Kofoed said it was a good skill to learn and very needed in the industry and she was really impressed with Alex and how fast he learned it all. He managed to do it all on Saturday in between his homecoming date plans. I can't remember if I told you he asked Dana Rasmussen. Bro. Tanner (Ken) took their pix for them so they didn't have to pay an expensive photographer. He's going to give the pix to them all on CD's which will be nice.

Uncle Scott was asking about where exactly you are right now. He served in Cordoba and had a very good experience there, so if you get a chance to let him know a little more about your area, that would be great.

Today when Sis. Sorensen gave me the patriarchal blessing tapes there was another surprise in the bag for me. She had canned something called green tomato chow-chow. She said you put it on hamburgers or hot dogs as a relish. It looks good and was so fun to get. I really love typing the blessings and working with them. What kinds of things are you eating on a regular basis now? Do you get a chance to do much cooking? If you need or want recipes, just let me know.

Dad said to send his love. He's working the 9pm to 7am shift tonight. On the weekends now they're trying some different shifts. This is much better than him going in at 7pm. But a night shift is still a night shift. He's a good man and works so hard and is pulled in so many different directions. I think it's my job to just help him feel calm in his life and keep a little humor going too.

Well, I better sign off for this week. I know you're where you should be right now and that Heavenly Father is anxious to use your talents and skills to find His elect. Trust Jesus Christ and know that He is always on your side.

I love you very much, have a great week,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox