Fall turning to winter

Nov. 7, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
Well, it looks like fall is officially here. The leaves are turning and falling and now the weather is actually making turn south. It's rained most the day today and it's supposed to be much colder than this week. We've been enjoying 60-70 degree weather for quite some time, but this week it will be in the high 40's.

Church was good today. Testimonies were a little sparse, but the quiet gave us time to think about our own testimonies. Randy Thompson is the new gospel doctrine teacher and he is a wonderful teacher. Lisa Myler gave the lesson in RS reminding us who we really are and what strength we should get from that knowledge. Then when we got out of church it was dark. A little weird.

Wish you could be here to help out the choir in a couple weeks. The Mylers will be out of town and that pretty much wipes out the tenor section. Have you had any chance to sing on your mission?
I sure hope so.

How has this week been for you? Sounds like you're teaching some wonderful people. I'm happy to hear that Jessica is progressing so well. I hope it's all still going well. I also hope that members of the ward are doing splits with you with some of your lessons or even just going with you so they can bear their testimonies too and bonds in the ward can begin to form. Most new members fall away when they don't feel a part of things in the ward family. I've seen it happen so many times. They receive that strong confirmation of the truthfulness of the gospel message, but don't know how to apply it.

Last Wednesday I went to YW in Excellence night for Kristina. Each group (from E3,6 &8th ward) made a movie about the YW values. Kristina's group did a great job and she did an excellent job in the editing department. I think she learned a lot from you....thank you. Leah went with me since she'll be going into YW next year and I want her to be excited about it.

Speaking of Leah, this week is her birthday and it's a constant source of conversation. She, of course, wants a cell phone, an iPod, a pottery wheel and a car. Hmmmm, I wonder what we should buy. For her birthday we're taking her friends to the movies and then to Primos.

Kirk and Sean are both doing well and having fun. Kirk actually sold his platelets this past week to make some money. I think he's going to do that each week now. Yah, he has a job!

This week in sports, EHS took a beating by Rocky Mtn-70-48. BSU won, of course! and BYU actually won, but they were playing UNLV(bottom of the barrel).

Friday night we went to Cirque du Soleil at the Taco Bell Arena. It was fantastic. I was pretty amazed at how good it was for a traveling show. One of the best I've seen. I'm still a groupie. When we were getting up after it was over, Leah said, "That was the best show I've ever been to!"

The girls were out of school Thurs and Fri last week for parent/teacher conferences. It's always fun to go hear what they have to say about Leah and Nikki. Leah's doing better, but not really catching up with the class yet in all subjects. She can stay up with science and social studies, but reading and math are still a stretch. Nikki's teachers always say she's just a social girl. I know what that means. Also this year her teacher said she just loved Nikki's shirts each day and looked forward to seeing her colorful outfits. I told her she puts them together herself. Math and reading are still difficult for Nikki too. We're working on the times tables with her. I may just teach her how to use a calculator really well so she'll be just fine.

Dad started working in Ontario and his first shift was a bit of a shock to the system because of the higher volume of patients. But he's going to give it a couple of months before he decides if he wants to keep working there.

I actually played the piano for a little bit this week(with 9 fingers). I still haven't been able to get the gauze off my wound, but I can tell it's beginning to heal now, from the inside out. It's quite a lesson to see how miraculous the body is, how it's able to heal itself. I'm still impatient and want it completely healed already, but I've relaxed a little about it now and will just let nature take its course. When my friends see me they still tell me it gives them the eebies whenever they think about it. I've been quilting a few things for Christmas presents now that I have a bit more time in between my RS duties. We're beginning to plan a big workshop for January, so we had a long presidency meeting this week after we had our luncheon for the older sisters in the stake. I love our daytime RS luncheons in this stake. The older sisters are so cute and it's fun seeing them all get together each month. They have a lunch and program once a month and a lot of them bring their neighbors and friends to it too.

Dawn Yorgason called me the other day. A young man in her ward was called to Tennessee, but she didn't know you were not the Knoxville mission. She says she loves reading your letters. Sis. Poulsen also asked me today if she could receive your letters. You've got quite a following now. I'm going to give your address to Mrs. Bunn, because she was asking about you and said Kaylie would write you.

Bro. and Sis. Purnell left this morning for Chile to pick up the boys. They were so excited. It should be a great trip for them. They will be reporting their missions the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

As of right now, Steve and Carolina and the girls are coming for Thanksgiving, Axel and Laura, and Allen and Lisa and their kids. We should have a full house. We're starting to look for the game of greed items.

Jenn and Gio had their baby last week-a big baby boy they named James. I guess in the end they decided not to name him Kenzo, but there are a lot of cousins who are deciding to still call him Kenzo, so I guess you can call him whatever you want.

I was re-listening to some conference talks this morning and was really impressed by Elder Richard G. Scott's talk. Here's a couple things he said and they made me think of you - that I should pass them along to you.

"An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for. That is true for spiritual matters as well. You get what you pay for in obedience, in faith in Jesus Christ, in diligent application of the truths you learn. What you get is the molding of character, the growth in capacity, and the successful completion of your mortal purpose to be proven and to have joy."

"You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily."

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming."

I can see you becoming the man that I saw in you way back when you were just little. Many people will watch you and find a role model in you. Make sure you watch out for those around you and pray to know how you can help them, lift them and even improve their lives and spirits. Always be found serving.

It's time for the girls to get to bed, so I better sign off. They should be tired tonight with the time change (I'm hopeful). I can't wait to hear from you and all about your week. I hope you and Elder Jolley are working hard and enjoying each day.

Miss you and love you much,
mom
xoxoxooxoxoxxoxoxoxxoooooxxxxxxooooxxxooooxxxx