7 Sep 2008

Sept. 7, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
We are just cleaning up from a youth fireside here tonight. We had it on the back porch because the weather is so nice. It was dad's yearly standards fireside. He talked about being temple worthy and had the kids take a quiz with questions that are similar to the temple recommend questions. There was a good turnout and there's only Alex and his buddies here now.

Bro. Pinder was here and took a look at my new mandolin. He played it for a while and he showed he a few good tips. He's going to have a jam session every month and wants me to come. I'm trying to get Alex and some of his friends to come too. The mandolin is coming along a lot easier than the banjo, probably because the strings are exactly the same as a violin and surprisingly all the notes came back to me from when I played the violin in middle school.

At church today there was a huge list of releasings and callings, so that was fun. There's a new Relief Society presidency. Sis Gill is the new president, Sis. Yorgason is the 1st counselor, Sis. Campbell is the 2nd counselor and Sis. Hugentobler is the secretary. They'll be great and it brought back sweet memories of when I was called and released.

Yesterday was the STOMP breakfast for the ward. Remember our program for reading the Book of Mormon. There was quite a handfull of us who finished reading the whole book during the summer. I'm proud to be part of that group. Actually I liked reading it quickly like that so much that I'm going to start it over again. Monday I'm going to Deseret Book to pick up some extra BOM's for our family and at family night we will be putting our testimonies in them as part of your program.

How was your week? Did you transfer to your new area? I can't wait to hear how things are going for you out in the real world. I read Jared's letters each week and it sure sounds like he's walking a lot. Remember to keep your knee strengthened.

Your experience in the office was priceless, what a treasure. I'm sure you learned so much and I'm also sure you were such a great asset to the president.

The kids had off school on Monday for Labor Day. Dad had to work but we went to the Leifson's for a bbq and volleyball game. We really had a fun time especially playing volleyball. The Cameron's and Kents came too. I forgot how fun volleyball can be. Then on Tuesday, Rachel and her roommate Laura came. They spent the night and we got the inflatable slip and slide and had a bbq. Kirk took off with them to BYU-I on Wednesday after a farewell lunch at Costa Vida.

Kirk called over the weekend and said he and Rachel have cooled things off for now. He says he's okay with it and they are still friends (if that is actually possible). So today he called and there's all new girls in his ward and he and his roommate had to go to each apartment tonight and visit all the girls. His roommate was called as FHE coordinator and his bishop asked him to select one young lady to work with him, thus the visits. Kirk was looking forward to going along with him, so he sounds like he's in good spirits and not too down about the break up. He was also going over to Tiffany Shaw's apartment later on for a visit. He starts school tomorrow and because I got his track changed at the last minute, he didn't have any classes and has had to try and add them slowly. He still needs one or two more and will have to add them this week. He's still going for a Biology major.

Dad saw Jared Gooch at the single's ward today and he said to tell you hello. He's going to BYU-I in the winter. I'm going to try to get to Madison's homecoming later this month. I missed going to Leah VanWagenen's and I really wish I had remembered. It would be fun to hear a report from Argentina.

Alex is taking Government with Odale, English with Mrs. Eaton-Burkle, Health with Mrs. Case, Seminary with Bishop Tanner and 2 choir classes. He says it's a pretty easy year. He's going to apply early for BYU and will get his papers in this month. He was debating taking the ACT again to get a higher score, but we'll see if he can fit it into his schedule.

It was great seeing the missionary from Samoa again. The girls went up to her and gave her a big hug and she just hugs them back and walks arm in arm with them through the halls. She comes from a family of 12 kids and her father died 13 years ago and had set up some kind of account that made sure every kid could have money to serve a mission. I'll get more particulars from her when they come for dinner because it sounds like such an incredible story.

I'm still searching for Be Still My Soul for Hma Lucas. I will write her this week either way.
We will also go hunting for the shirts and socks you need and get those off to you.

I hope you are well, happy and still full of the zeal for the gospel that you've had each week in every letter you've written. I love your enthusiasm for the work, it's contagious. Every Monday I live to hear your words, your stories, your testimony.

My prayers and love are always with you.
love you,
momx0x0xx0x0x0x0x00x0x0x0x