Sept. 19, 2010

Sept. 19, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,

How are you doing this week? I hope you are well, that you enjoyed your zone p-day in Paducah(can't believe you didn't at least poke your head inside the museum just so you could say you've been there and I haven't!)

How has the work been going this week? The program that they started here was having the members throw bbq's for their neighborhoods and at least get people to know their neighbors. You're kind of in a big bbq area, so that might be something they'd enjoy doing. Are you doing service anywhere on a regular basis?

I just heard from Sean and Kirk, both checking in for the week. Kirk broke up with Laura (for real) this past week and he seems pretty happy about the decision. He sounds like he had a fun weekend with a lot of new people. Both he and Sean are having to work hard just to get the classes they want. Sean is taking lots of journalism classes this semester so that he can apply to be a journalism major in January. Kirk is taking upper division classes in his health science major, but since the classes are small in size they fill up quickly and it's been hard for him to get some of the classes he needs.

The little girls just went to bed. Nikki still has a hard time going to bed 1/2 hour earlier than Leah, but after much stalling, she finally heads upstairs. Nikki is loving her Cantus singing group and practices hard. She even sang with the ward choir today. Leah started fall-ball lacrosse this past week and loves it. She speaks so highly of it that now Nikki says she wants to join in.

Kristina is still practicing driving and is struggling to learn the stick shift still. We're going to have to go out one day all alone and put in some time.

Sports updates:EHS won in a close game 51/50 over the weekend with Highland. BSU tromped on Wyoming 56/6 and BYU lost again. I don't know BYU's score and Sean said it was too embarrassing to repeat.

Spencer leaves this week for the MTC and very excited. Austin leaves the MTC in Provo and moves to the Peru MTC which he's very excited about. I don't have any word on Cameron yet if he's got his Visa yet. If he doesn't, he's going to be a very sad puppy. I've been in contact with Terri W. and Julie W. and we will start sending out a newsletter like we talked about, as soon as Austin and Cameron are at their new addresses which should be in 1-2 weeks. So a newsletter should come about once a month from then on. I'll include parts of your letter and any pictures you send in the newsletter too. So if you have any pics, send them.

Today at the singles ward, dad saw Tyler Durham. Dad asked him if he was just bored or if he was joining the church. Tyler just smiled at him. Anyway, it's good that he was there. I hope he had a good experience.

Alex this is Dad, Mom is on the phone planning for the stake RS dinner this Saturday before the RS general Broadcast, they are taking over the world... "40, no 45 tables is that enough for 450 people?" Their plot is to lure all the women of the stake over for a fun time before the broadcast and they are using a dinner as bait, sounds like a priest's quorum function. Speaking of priest's quorum function, I sent a snail mail letter to all of you old priests this week, so I hope you got it; I'll start work on another snail mail report tomorrow. I addressed it to you and Elder Mix so he could feel the Eagle 6th Ward priests quorum love. The big conflict for mom's RS function this Saturday is the BSU vs Oregon State Football game. It is the first BSU home game of the Year, sports center and game day are broadcasting the game so if your are by a TV next Saturday night 8 pm eastern time you should see some blue turf on the TV. BSU demolished Wyoming 56-6 last Saturday, Eagle beat Highland 51-50 (double OT) in Pocatello and BYU lost to FSU, sorry your team sucks this year without you. The offense of BYU is very anemic this year without Max and Pitta. Mom is back Alex, she wants to finish her letter, love ya, miss ya but am so happy you are in the field. Smile, work hard and be obedient, Love Dad

Hi, Mom here. I've been on the phone most the night trying to get the details worked out for our little party this Saturday for the RS sisters. Lots of people have signed up, but what we hear is that not everyone comes that signs up. But how are we supposed to know about how many will decide not to show up. This should be interesting.

Well, let me leave you with some little missionary hints from an RM who decided he wanted missionaries to know what it was really like out in the mission field. So he wrote this book called A Little Book of Missionary Reminders. It's full of tips and hints, so I may send you a few here and there.
1. Your president's first impression of you could last your entire mission. So look sharp when you walk off the plane to greet him. (well, too late for that one...)
2. Sing "If You Could Hie to Kolob" in your district meetings. (I guess for you that means that the 2 of you will be singing that one)
3. Try every "local" food at least once.
4. Excavate the dirt out of the grooves of your name tag on a regular basis.
5. Take photos of the common, everyday scenes from each area (laundromat, supermarket, apartment) (This one sounds like a good idea to me. You'll be glad you have those years later)

It's getting late, so I better wrap this up. It's very funny that you got a farkle set. I wish the little girls were a bit older cuz I miss game nights. Kristina taught me a new game yesterday that was fun, but it still needs a few more people. I hope you are happy and continuing to obey with exactness. There are many blessings that come with that obedience and even angels will assist in the work because of how important it is. Read your patriarchal blessing often so you are reminded of the love Heavenly Father has for you, it will give you strength.

I love you too, more than you know.


Mom
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxxo