Dear Elder Alex,
It seems like we've been either going to a missionary farewell or going to a missionary homecoming almost every other week now. Today we actually missed one and I felt bad. Jon Kjar had his homecoming and I never heard about it. Kristina just happened to be at the church for a meeting, so she got to hear part of it. Today we went back to the 6th ward again for Spencer Myler's farewell. He will be an excellent missionary. He said while he was out with our local missionaries, they gave him some advice:
1. Don't worry so much about what you're saying, memorizing things, etc because it will be the spirit that does the most teaching, so live by the spirit.
2. Decide right now whether you will be a lazy missionary or one who works hard.
Spencer said there's no doubt in his mind that he will work hard every day because he's been thinking about serving a mission since he was little and he knows that the Lord wants him in Tempe, AZ. His family sang the musical number and his little brothers sang by themselves to start out and they stole the show, especially the youngest who was standing right in front of the mic. That was probably the cutest rendition of I Hope They Cal Me on a Mission I've ever heard. I'd buy his little brother's CD. :)
It was great seeing everyone from the old ward all back together again. We got to mingle with them last night at the Myler's open house. We're all just pretending that the ward split never happened by getting together monthly for some occasion.
Dad and I received callings in the mail yesterday from Elder Nattress. It was kind of weird getting a calling through the mail, but we've been asked to work as the medical directors for the upcoming Boise temple re-dedication youth spectacular. I realize that I'm mainly there for moral support. Dad said I can take the emotional needs and he'll treat the physical needs. It should be fun either way though to be part of the big re-dedication. Looks like they'll re-dedicate sometime in November and they're hoping to get the Taco Bell arena for the venue. We'll keep you posted.
Since coming home from CDA, we've been pretty much in full swing wedding mode. There are so many little details and decisions to be made. This weekend Kirk came home and we got him a new suit to wear to his wedding. He said most his friends don't wear tuxes now, they just get suits so they can wear them later on. I'm meeting with a florist tomorrow to talk about bouquets, corsages, etc. I feel a great weight of responsibility picking out the bouquet for Sarah but she can't do it since she's up in Canada. Wish me luck. We also managed to get almost all the invitations out in the mail now. I just keep thinking a few more people each day. I hope I don't forget anyone.
I've also gone to some friends houses who recently did weddings and have borrowed a lot of stuff. I'm thinking this should be some kind of stake calling, wedding stuff coordinator where she just keeps tables, flowers, ribbons of all colors, chairs, and decorations and lets people come and borrow what they need. It's kind of rediculous that we all have to almost reinvent the wheel when it comes to each of our weddings. I'm more than happy to share and borrow.
I was thinking about you a lot today listening to Spencer give his talk. He sounded a lot like you with his enthusiasm, dry humor and dedication to the Lord. I also thought about you today during the Sunday School lesson when we were talking about Alma teaching the people of Ammonihah, getting rejected and asked to return, but the second time returning and preaching with Amulek. Can you imagine being out there by yourself and trying to bear testimony without a second witness? Also while Elder Sorensen is speaking, you can gauge what your investigators are feeling and thinking, then when you speak, Elder Sorensen can do the same thing.The Lord is truly wise in all things. I also thought a lot about all the blessings I feel in my life because of my membership in the church and what a blessing it was that I was born into a family and raised right from the start with the gospel central in our home. It's something I hope I never take for granted and it's also something I always thank Heavenly Father for every day in my personal prayers.
How was your week? I'm trying to keep it all straight-what you're up to there. It seems like you're all over the place but I guess that's what a traveling Elder does. It's great that you're still doing the firesides. I didn't realize that you were still doing those. It's great that you got to see the Taylors again, that must be sweet.
How did your fireside in Nashville go? Did you really sing in Spanish? I'd love to hear that. I hope your appointments this past week went well too. Do you get most your appointments from the members? Are you keeping up with your journal writing? I hope so. I know it gets more difficult the further into your mission you go, but when we were out with the Larsens a couple weeks ago, Cody mentioned how he loves reading your letters and loves your writing style. He says you should think about writing a book. So keep up your writing and journaling-you never know, they may be a source of stories for an upcoming book. :)
Kristina left for EFY today. Steve and Monica Campbell drove her down to Provo. They were taking Carsen and also Caleb Braithwaite and Riley Billings. All four of them are staying at Steve and Carolina's tonight, then Carolina will take them to BYU tomorrow morning. The boys are part of a different group than Kristina and Riley. Kristina has really been looking forward to this, took tons of junk food, cute outfits and we let her have texting for one month so she can keep in contact with us. After EFY, she will be staying with the Billings as they go to their grandparents in Fayette, UT. I guess it's a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, but sounds like they'll have fun celebrating the 4th of July there. Then Kristina comes home on July 6th. I miss her already and can't wait to hear her stories.
The rest of us are all plodding along here. Dad's back to work, Sean is back to work and Leah and Nikki are enjoying the lazy days of summer. I hope it's not getting too hot there yet. I'm expecting to sweat up a storm when we're there in August, but I haven't felt humidity for quite a while. My body may go into shock.
I'm going to send you a few more pics from our vacation last week. Hope you have an appointment-filled week!
Love you much,
Mom xxoo
No comments:
Post a Comment