June 10, 2012
Dear Elder Alex,
So here's a pic of the missionary concert we got this evening in our home. Our two polynesian elders plus one "vanilla" boy (as Nikki and Leah call him) came to our house this evening and gave us a lesson. Then afterwards since Elder Ika was being transferred tomorrow, they serenaded us with one Tongan song and "A Child's Prayer" using guitars and ukele. It was so wonderful having the elders in our home and Elder Ika left us with one of the nicest prayers I've ever heard blessing our family. Dad sent them off with cans of Spam again and they loved it.
Then we headed off to the Tanner's house, in our ward, where they invited us to do smores with them sitting outside by their pond in their backyard. We all talked til it got too dark and a little cold, but it was so nice sitting out there with them. Made me want to have a house with a pond again.
The fireside part in the title was just because Kristina went to our ward's monthly Bishop's Youth Discussion fireside then joined us at the Tanner's afterwards.
We've had a full Sabbath today which I love. We started out at our ward where Bro. Crosgrove and Zach both spoke. Bro. Crosgrove was speaking because he's a high councilor and he brought his son with him. Then we went to the 6th ward to hear Coleman Madsen give his farewell talk. He takes off for Birmingham, AL in a couple weeks. Coleman sounds like a return missionary already. He'll do a great job.
Megan Leifson got her mission call this week and she's going to the exact same mission as Coleman. She doesn't leave until Sept though. She's excited to talk with you about the South when you get home. She's going to be having her farewell the same day you give your homecoming talk, Aug. 19th. Sis. Leifson is in charge of music in our ward so she wanted me to ask you if you had any thoughts about what you'd like as a musical number at your homecoming. She even said Megan could sing a duet with you if you'd like. So let me know if you've given that any thought at all so I can pass it along.
We opted out on Eagle Fun Days this year, at least the parade part. It was just too cold. But a few of us did go to downtown Eagle on Friday night and walked around. It doesn't really change much each year, but we actually ate dinner at the Wild West Cafe downtown which we had never been to. They claim to have the best hamburgers around, so dad had one of those and said they were pretty good. We ran into Tim Givens there and he asked about you. He said it seems like just yesterday that you too went out golfing before you left on your mission.
Kristina went to Academy this week and loved it. They did things a bit differently this year. It was just a one day event. Every Bishop in the stake was there the entire day. In the morning they did a hands-on service project, then after lunch they did a ropes course which I guess was pretty impressive. She loved the one called Leap of Faith the best where you climb up high into a tree then jump out and catch a bar. The girls down below were holding the rope that would catch you if you fell. Kristina said it was scary and fun at the same time. Then after dinner Pres. Shaw spoke to them and they had testimonies.
I've been busy working on plans for the wedding. There are a lot of little details that have to be worked out, decisions to be made, phone calls to make, dresses to buy, flowers to pick out and plant, hotel rooms to book, etc. Hopefully we'll do all the behind the scenes work and it will just be a nice, enjoyable day for Kirk and Sarah.
This week we are taking a mini vacation and going to Coeur d'alene from Wed until next Monday. We've rented a house on the lake and will explore the area, go biking, shopping and also hopefully we'll get to meet Sarah's parents because they are thinking of coming down one day so they can meet us. If it's a totally fun place, we'll go back again some day, but I'll let you know.
So how was your week? I'm anxious to hear about Kyle, if you were able to get in to talk with him again. Did he read something on the internet that made him not want to go to church? What other cities have you been traveling to? Keep me posted on Alvin and his church also. I just love hearing about what's going on there.
I heard from Terri Westerberg this week and Austin flies home the exact same day as we do, only a few hours earlier. I think he's reporting on the same day as you too, so hopefully his ward meets at a different time so we can all go hear him. I sent another ChemPal newsletter this week, so maybe by now you've already gotten it.
One question we have for you is: Sean is interested in going to a Brave's game while we're out picking you up, but the only night we could be in Atlanta is Monday the 13th, the night before we fly home. We could fly home from Atlanta on Tuesday. But what I want to hear from you is if you are interested in something like that at all or do you have some families you've planned to see on that Monday? Driving to Atlanta on Monday would take away from some visiting time, so please let me know either way because we would have to change our tickets and fly home from Atlanta if that's something you'd want to do. We are not leaning towards either choice, even Sean, it was just an idea, so I told him I'd talk with you about it first. So let me know truthfully what you'd like to do. We're just excited to be there.
I hope you are doing well and enjoying this new calling of a traveling elder. I'm sure it's hard at times, but hopefully there are some sweet rewarding moments. I hope you're having opportunities to be in the members' homes like we had tonight. The spirit they bring is so strong and leaves a wonderful influence in our home.
Remember who's always praying for you--me! and who loves you and is always asking Heavenly Father to guide your very footsteps--me! Have a great week sharing the gospel.
Love you,
Mom xxoo
No comments:
Post a Comment