9 Mar 2008

March 9, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Hi, how was your week? We had a wonderful Sunday. Today was Ashton Beagley's farewell and many Beagleys were here. Last night we went to his non-open house. It was like a ward party at the Beagley home. He spoke on faith and looks very ready to go and serve. He said he's going to Disneyland. He'll be very needed speaking Spanish in southern Cal. We also had David and Shirley Clegg report their mission. Dad and I went over earlier in the week to visit them and they said their hearts are still in Nauvoo. What a great experience they had there. They were not able to proselyte, but conducting the tours at various sites in Nauvoo including Carthage jail was so spiritual. They also took part in the pageant, worked at the temple and put on plays, so they were extremely busy the entire time. Bro. Clegg talked about his relationship with his wife after 50 years and how wonderful it was. Then their children and grandchildren sang the closing song. It was an amazing sight and it made me want that same thing with dad by my side in another 20-25 years. I'm looking forward to hearing from them at a fireside.

This past week I ran into Tyler D. and told him to stop by our house, so this afternoon he showed up and it was just in time for a nice roast beef/mashed potatoes/broccoli with cheese sauce dinner. He stayed until just a little while ago. He said he was anxious to hear from you, so send him a letter sometime. If you just send it to us, I can forward it to him. He read scriptures with us, played the dice game with us, ate gooey orange rolls for dessert with us, helped shoot down helium balloons from the family room with nerf darts, etc. He's doing well. He's going to BSU finishing up his GE and trying to decide what to go into. He's torn between pre-med and computers. Right now he works full time with an outsourcing firm that Apple has hired for tech support. He says he thinks about working for Apple. I'm going to forward all the Eagle Elders' newsletters to him so he can read a little from all of you.

Alex got his wisdom teeth out on Friday and he's still trying to milk it, but on the night he got them out he actually went to a friend's house and ate a hamburger, so I can't imagine that he's suffering too badly. We had Dr. Brad Robertson from the 8th ward take them out. He was very fast and very affordable. Just did it in his office. I don't think you could have had that option though with all those extra wisdom teeth you had. Also Dr. Robertson mentioned that his parents were on a mission in Samoa, so I asked if I could email him some pictures and a letter and have him forward it to his parents and see if they could deliver it to the girls' birthmom. It would be great to actually hear from someone that she received news from us. I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

A couple of mission calls this week-Cory Campbell is going to Monterey East, Mexico mission and Phil Gulbrandsen is going to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Your emails using the myldsmail is kind of goofy. Sometimes when you write 2 letters, we get one in the afternoon, then we get the second one late at night but on the email it says that you wrote them around the same time. I think we get them all, but it's been kind of weird on the arrival times.

Kirk called today. It's still cold in Rexburg (what else is new?). He's trying to keep up with the school work and the social life. I think the habits you establish on your mission can really help you in all aspects of your life. The girls are all doing well. I'm busy with plenty of things. Still typing Patriarchal blessings. We have at least 2 every week. In a couple of months I'll have typed over 300 blessings. I consider it such a privilege and a blessing to be able to do this. I'm also studying the Old Testament using the BYU channel where they have 4 religion professors discussing the OT. I love it. I did it all the way through with the BOM too and I learned so much. Now I'm getting incredible insights into the Old Testament from the best of the best.

Dad just got back from helping give a blessing to a sister in the ward. We had a rough start this morning. We set our clocks ahead last night, but since dad has clocks that automatically set themselves, he didn't do anything different last night. I woke up and looked at my clock and it said 7:30am and dad was still in bed next to me. That's the time his Bishopric mtg started, so I woke him and he couldn't believe neither of his clocks changed but mine had. So he really scrambled to get to church. I'm going to love having it stay lighter later. I love the sunlight. It lifts my spirits. Do you guys change your clocks there?

You sound so good in your letters. Being anxiously engaged is a great feeling. Always remember how you feel now when you are busy in the Lord's work. You are focused on other people and that's what will always bring you true joy in life. Your mission president is an inspired spiritual man. Continue to heed his counsel.

Here are some missionary tips for the week:
1. Write in your journal every day, preferably at night.
2. Read all the standard works at least once during your mission.
3. Make bookmarks for investigators by writing a favorite scripture, thought, or hymn on a card.
4. Get a good night's rest.
5. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."

Well, I'm going to say good-bye and dad is going to add a little note. We'll send you a couple pix too. If you have any, send them our way. I love you very much. Keep up the good work.
Love,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxooxox