18 May 2008

May 18, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
I flew back into town late last night after a fun few days in Portland. They were having a heat wave there, but luckily we were inside the convention center most the time. We're also in the 90's here this week, but by the end of the week, it's supposed to go back down into the 60's. Weird, weird weather.

This was the first market that Jan was on her own with her own company. It's called The Apron Lady Designs. Before we've been in with a friend of hers. It was fun decorating the booth. Diane Beagley came up with the idea for the curtains, and they were a big hit. Everyone commented on how cute and creative they were. They really made the booth. I'll send some pix. Business was good. We got tons of orders, magazines who want to do special pieces on us, podcast interviews, book offers, etc. I picked up some of the latest fabric of course. Mary and her roommate also came to help us. We all had a lot of fun. Yesterday, Mary, Kristine (Mary's roommate) and I took off from the convention center for a few hours in the middle of the day to go to the downtown Portland street market. So we walked the streets of Portland for a bit, which by the way Portland is really a beautiful town. If it didn't rain so much there, I'd really consider living there some time.

So how was your week? How are Vanessa and Maxi, etc doing? I hope they're doing well and progressing with the lessons. Since I was so busy with Portland this week I wasn't able to get a letter off to Hma. Paez. I've been thinking about her though. So if I get a chance before we hear from you, I may send you one that you can translate.

How's the office life going for you? It seems like you might be feeling like you want to get out on the streets again. Maybe that was just an assumption on my part. I know you're probably a great help in the office and the Pres will have a hard time letting you go.

I don't know of much that happened around here while I was gone, except that Ben Hugentobler decided to get married, so dad married them on Friday and they did it in our backyard. Jodie says she's a really nice girl and Ben is really trying to make a turn around in his life. I'm pretty proud of how far he's come. Jodie and I talk quite a bit about it.

Also today we had the farewells for Corey Campbell and Tyler Yorgason. They both did excellent jobs. Tyler is quite the intellectual and gave a very thoughtful talk. Corey was a little lighter and brought up some of the fun things he remembered as a young man in the 6th ward. YOu can just tell they will both be wonderful missionaries and they are eager to go. Tyler leaves the end of this month and Corey goes a week later. 3 of the Yorgason kids sang a musical number-Samantha, Luke and Chad. They sang beautifully and even broke in to parts in some of it. Dawn said it was really a stretch for them to even get up in front of everyone. We had quite a crowd at church too because of all this. It was fun seeing the place so full again.

Tonight we had the seniors in the ward over with their parents for our senior fireside. This year it's the Purnell twins, the Taylor twins, Derrick Hanson and Brian Redmond (they're new). They are a great bunch of kids. I always look forward to this fireside because it's fun to hear the parents talk about the kids and to hear the kids talk about their parents.

You'd be proud to know that Alex and I are getting pretty competitive with some Spit games lately. I think we may have to make a board and start keeping track on wins and losses (sound familiar??) Alex made a really funny movie this week called the Egg Movie. In calculus he and a partner had to figure out the volume of this plastic egg. So in order to get extra credit, they made a movie too. We'll send you a DVD of it just for laughs. He had an APC date night Saturday night. He took Kimi Anderson. They played all kinds of games at the Shaws. Alex said he and Kimi did quite well.

The school year is winding down. The little girls are counting down the days. I need to get on the ball and get them signed up for some fun activities this summer or it's going to be a long summer for all of us.

I still have fond memories of our Mother's Day conversation and can still hear you playing the piano. Thank you again. Can't wait to hear how you're doing this week.

Here's some missionary tips for the week:
1. Don't let your neck get sunburned on P-day. You'll be wearing a tie in a few hours.
2. Buy a national flag from your mission.
3. Make a copy of your favorite poem or Ensign article for an investigator or member, just to tell him/her thanks.
4. Find one vegetable you like--and eat it occasionally.
5. Study your patriarchal blessing often.
6. Have district/zone breakfasts on P-day.

Well, better get to bed. Keep the faith/share the faith.
I love you,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox