Sunday, February 19, 2012

Vegas Baby!

Feb. 19, 2012
Dear Elder Alex,
Kind of a crazy week here. Not only did we go to Vegas for 4 days, but then we come home and find out what the ward splits will be. We'll send you a copy of the map and boundaries because it's kind of crazy, but we are now in the Eagle 8th ward and it consists of everyone north of Floating Feather and between Ballantyne and Linder. Lots of new people apparently. I guess we'll find out more when we have our first meeting on the 4th of March. All I know is there was lots of crying of the young women at the meeting. They were not happy being split apart. Basically our little 6th ward went in all directions. Part of them are now in the new Eagle 9th ward, part stayed in the 6th ward which will be meeting at the State Street building now, and part went to the 8th ward. The new Bishop of the 9th ward is Stewart Jensen. He'll be great. Our Bishop will be Bishop Bingham.

Today was also Jay Smack's homecoming, but we weren't able to attend because we had ward conference today at the same time. Dad called him this afternoon and chatted for a little bit. He said he'd come by sometime and we can talk about Cordoba stuff. Our ward conference was wonderful. Pres. Shaw gave such a good talk in our Relief Society meeting. I know you've heard him talk about his courtship with Launette. The way he tells it is so funny. He wanted us to get the point that we all receive promptings, but the more we receive them and act upon them, the easier it is to recognize them. He also told us that as women we have our bars set too high and then we go crazy trying to achieve things that are almost impossible to reach. So he told us to focus more on what's really important in life and find things we can let go of and actually do less. He was very inspiring.

I also called the 7th ward to see when Graham was getting home and they said they'd let me know when his homecoming was. So I'll keep you posted on that.

Last night not only did we fly home from Vegas, but Sarah drove down from Canada and we all arrived around the same time. Kirk is a happy camper and was glad to have her on his arm at church. They are a cute couple. So many people came up to me and said she looks like she could be one of my daughters, so I guess that means she fits right in. 

Dad and I had a great time in Vegas. For me it's just great getting away, doing something completely different than my usual routine. We went to the temple while we were there. I have to say the Vegas temple has the most beautiful celestial room that I have ever seen. The temple is shaped just like the Boise temple but it is so much bigger, has a courtyard in the middle of it and is in a beautiful setting. I told Kirk and Sarah they may want to rethink where they want to be married, but they're not budging from the Salt Lake temple. 

We saw two shows in Vegas-Donny and Marie again (yes, they changed it up from the last time we saw them). We were so close to the stage and Donny even stepped onto the table we were sitting at and shook my hand. We also saw Cirque, the Beatles show. I really enjoyed it, so entertaining and I loved the music of course. We shopped, went to In n Out, ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant, the Mesa Grill, hit a couple quilt stores, went to a HUGE furniture design center (even bigger than the one we used to go to in High Point, NC), walked a lot, shopped some more and ate way too much, but it was very fun. Here's the view from our room. yes those are the fountains at the Bellagio.




Back on the home front, I heard from the missionaries and they had their first meeting with Maria last week with her husband too. I wasn't here to talk with her about it, but Kirk did and she said they enjoyed it and are having the missionaries back again, but that they had some homework they had to do. :)  I gave her a copy of the Liahona last week, so I hope they've enjoyed some of the articles in that. The missionaries left them with a DVD too.

The kids have no school tomorrow because of President's Day, so we may go on a little hike with the dogs. We still have not had winter weather yet and now I'm not sure we will ever have it, but since I'm not a snow person, that hasn't bothered me. 

So how is Neil Adams progressing? Sounds like you had a great week last week-meaning the week you wrote us about last week. I hope you've had lots of teaching appointments this past week.

By the way, the pics I sent you last week, yes, that was Caleb in the one picture. It's funny to hear you say that he has changed. Of course, since we see him almost daily, we can't see it. That's funny. Also, last weekend was the Junior Miss  pageant and Tara Kofoed won-of course. Tanner Myler won for Junior Mr.-which is just a spoof but Kristina said all the guys who performed were really funny-Phillip Stafford, Sean Pinder, and a few others. Kristina helped behind the scenes.

Also I had a nice talk with Julie Rasmussen when I found out they had been called to be mission president. Can't wait to hear where they're serving. Maybe you already know, if so, pass the news along. She shared with me how they got called and how it all happens. It was quite a surprise for them, but they will be awesome. Also Spencer Myler got his call last week and he's going to Tempe Arizona Spanish speaking, but not leaving until July. 

That's about it for our news. I think of you often, Alex, pray for you and know that you are right where Heavenly Father wants you to be, acting in His behalf through the priesthood. You have a good, strong and faithful spirit that you brought with you from heaven-all things I could see as your mom right from the start. Keep up the good work and have courage doing the hard things, you are never alone. 

Love you,
Mom xxoo

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