18 Nov 2007

Nov. 18 2007
Dear Elder Sean,
We're officially making plans for Thanksgiving now. I've made the menu and given out the assignments. Steve and Carolina and all their kids will be coming here including Isaac and Bethany. Also we'll be having the Hugentobler's. We might have the bearded one (dad's cousin) come again, but we haven't gotten hold of him yet. It doesn't sound like dad will be frying quite as many turkeys this year, but then again we might hear from lots of people this week who would like one. So far we're just up to 6.

How are you doing? Kirk said in the DR they actually celebrated Thanksgiving a little bit. I can't imagine that Argentina would. Are you elders doing something special? Killing your own turkey or anything? I'm doing the big shopping tomorrow morning. The new Winco near us by Home Depot is open now and it's great, so I actually look forward to going there.

Today at church, Brittney Stafford reported her mission in our ward. She said her mission, New York City South, consisted of 9 million people, 4000 of which were members and 40% of those members were active. They also had 9 different languages they had to be familiar with even though she was spanish speaking and she had to search each day for people who spoke Spanish. It sounded difficult, like it required quite a bit of patience. We also had Elder Walker in our ward because John and Tonia Peterson blessed their new little daughter. He's a good friend of theirs. He spoke at the end of our mtg.

I subbed in Leah's Primary class. Kirk helped me in her class. We taught about the conversion of Saul. It was a fun class to teach. I'm teaching it again next week.

So how was your week? What did your MRI report say and how is your knee feeling now? I'm so sorry that this is such a long recovery time. I'm not a very patient patient and so if you're feeling frustrated I can totally understand that. I would take your pain for you if I could.

How has the teaching been going this week? I was so sorry to hear that so many of the people you were teaching took a turn the other way. Read the words in Alma 26:27 and remember there have been so many of the Lord's servants who have experienced set-backs in their work, but it's great to hear your wonderful attitude. Your attitude and continued faith in the Lord is what will replenish your soul and refuel your enthusiasm for the work.

Scores of the week- BYU-don't think they played, but they have the big rivalry against Utah this weekend. BSU tromped Idaho. It became embarrassing in the end (58-14). They play unbeaten Hawaii this week. Can't wait to see what happens, kind of a mini Fiesta Bowl to look forward to.

updates:
Kirk-still working for Bro. Jensen full time. He leaves early in the morning, takes a sack lunch and returns home very hungry. I think he's really enjoying getting a paycheck every week. I think he'll be surprised at how fast the money goes away when he starts school. He hasn't dated at all and we're all trying to find someone for him to ask out. He may ask Brittney Stafford out. There just isn't much to do here for the young adults during the school year.
Alex-had a concert with his Kofoed singing group yesterday. He was pretty much the lead singer and did a great job. They had choreography too which was a lot of fun to see. Alex truly enjoys singing and is good at it. He also got his ACT scores-28. He says next time he'll take a study course beforehand. His lowest score was in English, so he could use some help there. Also his science score should come up after his year of chemistry. Every Sunday night now he gets together with some guys at the Yorgason's for a gospel study/cookie eating group. Bro. Yorgason helps lead their discussions and Alex loves it.
Kristina-loving Young Women. Every wednesday mtg and Sunday mtg are so fun for her. She loves the lessons and the activities. She's working on a quilt for Young Women in Excellence which is in 2 weeks. She's also very busy with her High School Musical play. She got the part of Gabriella and is very excited about it.
Leah-So excited about her upcoming baptism. Excited and nervous. Every time she makes decisions and does things that are good, I tell her that she must be ready to be baptized because she's making such good decisions. Her reading is improving too. Math is still a black hole for her. She says she wants to play soccer again in the spring.
Nikki-still the lovey, dovey girl. Has to be touching someone in some way at all times. Very tactile. She is doing math minutes in school and has now passed her 0's, 1's and half way through her 2's. Leah hasn't passed off her 2's yet. They both seem pretty competitive, so maybe this will spur them both on. Nikki is trying to work on her temper. She gets frustrated easily these days, so we're having a little anger management lessons each day. She loves surprising me by doing chores around the house without me asking. She's a very hard worker and loves working.
Dad-work, Bishoping, IRS, etc are all taking a toll. I'm hoping this week of Thanksgiving and family will help bring some much needed relaxation. He's working hard in all areas. It's definitely a balancing act.
I think I can distract him by getting him excited about putting up massive amounts of Christmas lights in the front and back yard. He loves that.
Me-most my concentration is on the big meal this week, but after that I'm hoping to come up with something fun for our family to do through the Christmas season, some service for someone else. I'm still making quilts for the domestic courts in Calif, typing patriarchal blessings, working on Leah's baptism quilt and Kristina's, playing the piano for relaxation, quilting for sanity, reading for knowledge and watching Dancing with the Stars for escapism. I'm happiest when I have lots of projects going.

Andrea called me tonight with the good news that her little sister finally got baptized. They had lots of family come to it and her mom and dad even went to church today for her confirmation. Andrea's very excited about having someone else in the family who will go to church with her. Her whole family's going to Hawaii this week and she remembered about the DVD she saw here of the Polynesian Cultural Center and is really looking forward to going there.

That's about it for around here. We have some more things to get to you for Christmas, so let us know if there are any special requests. By the way, I wrote Hma. Carranza and sent some pictures with it. i hope she was able to open them. Tell her hello for me. Can't wait to hear from you and see how your week has been. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Love,
xoxoxoxoxomomxoxoxoxoxo