25 May 2008

May 25,2008

Dear Elder Sean,

Well, I'm sitting here at Steve and Carolina's. We just came in from a walk lup the mountain in their backyard, then we sat out on their porch and watched the sun go down. This is such a beautiful time of year here and the weather has been great.

Carolina is on the phone with Isaac speaking what sounds like fast Spanish to me. I'm sure you wouldn't think so now. Steve is lounging on the couch and Alex, Dakota, Kristina, Leah and Nikki and Kassie are downstairs. Dad was with us until this afternoon, then I took him to the airport and he's home now. He has to work tomorrow. At first he wasn't even going to go with us, but I'm really glad he did. We've had a fun time.

We spent the first night at G & G Thompson's and the next morning dad and Alex helped do yard work. Then we drove to Provo and helped Carolina get ready for Gio and Jenn's open house. Carolina made such good food. She found these new recipes from a book and just decided to try them ( a woman after my own heart). Lots of people from their ward and area showed up and it was fun talking with everyone and meeting lots of new people. After it was over, dad Charmaine and I went out to try and hit a movie, but the new Indiana Jones was sold out, so we went to a new yogurt place and chatted. Charmaine is doing really well since her break up with Lanny and has so much more interest in the church now. It's great to see.

Alex went out and double dated with Dakota. His date was really cute and Dakota says they had a lot of fun. She says Alex kept them all laughing.

We're going to stay one more night and take off tomorrow afternoon for home. I'm not sure what we're going to do tomorrow. I decided to write you tonight even though I'm thinking it's a transfer week for you.

Today at church a man had a heart attack in the middle of sacrament meeting. It was during one of the talks and it sounded like there was a lawn mower starting inside the room. The man I guess passed out, hit his head and then his airway became blocked. The noise he made was so loud and we couldn't figure out what it was at first. Then all these men got up and went over to the man. Steve said they were all doctors so dad didn't get up. They had to pick him up and take him out. People were calling 911 and the rest of us just sat there in shock but we went on with the meeting and sang the closing song. Then the man who gave the closing prayer gave a priesthood blessing from the pulpit for the sick man. When he blessed the man, it was the first time I realized that he was a visitor, someone's son. They took him into a room and the doctors worked on him until the ambulance came. The doctor who massaged his heart was our gospel doctrine teacher, so when he came to class he walked in sweating and told us they were able to revive the man, he was breathing and somewhat stable. But you could tell it really took a toll on the doctors. Anyway, it was quite an interesting meeting.

At RS I spent quite a bit of time talking with Patti Monson, Pres. Monson's daughter-in-law. She's adopted 2 kids and I felt such a connection with her and really enjoyed talking with her. Leah and Nikki walked home from church with her daughter. Patti is someone I would be friends with if I lived in the area. I also spent a lot of time talking with a woman who was in the MoTab. She had some fun stories. We met at the open house and talked for a long time. I love hearing people's stories. Everyone has a story.

How has your week been? How is Fernando? I'm worried about him, but hopeful. Smoking is not one of the worst sins in life. He should keep coming to church and just keep working on quitting. It should have nothing to do with his commitment to the gospel or to his family. We all have sins that we are working on in life, but we keep going to church to find the motivation to help us overcome our sins. Without the church, our chances of changing are slim. How is Vanessa and her family? I hope they are still progressing.

Everyone here says to say hi. Gio was asking about you, Ben was asking about you. When I get home I'll send some pictures.

Have a wonderful week. You're always in my prayers.

I love you very much.

momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo