April 20, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, looks like we're back to winter for a few days here. Just when we're putting our long sleeves away, we have to cover plants outside to save them, etc. We're really hoping the frost of the next few nights doesn't make us lose peaches this year. They were so tasty last year and I'm looking forward to them this year.
We had a fun week with Kirk here last week but he's back in Rexburg starting his next semester tomorrow. While he was home he went out a couple times with Ashley Gooch who has recently returned from the San Diego CA Spanish mission. He said they spoke Spanglish on their dates. He went home on Saturday so he could help Mary move into her new house. Since Kirk has dad's truck, he's the official moving helper. He's actually driving back home this Thursday so he can go to Phoenix this weekend with me and dad for Giovanni and Jenn's wedding. Alex is going to Pascoe then staying at the Yorgason's when he gets home, Kristina is staying with the Taylor's, Leah is staying with the Tanner's (Houston's cousins) and Nikki is staying with the Leifson's. Barkley is going to have a little bachelor pad here at home with Kristina and Alex letting him out to run around occasionally. We leave on Friday and get back Sunday, so it's a quick trip.
I was so excited to see your baptism news last week. What a nice program. Kirk said only elders in the office can have nice things like that (typed out programs). Have you had your FHE with the families yet? That's a wonderful idea. Hope the pix we sent you were what you wanted. I know it's got to be hard for Fernando still suffering from giving up smoking. How's he doing? Has he been chewing gum, sucking on suckers, nicotine patches, etc. I remember when Earl and Karen Davidson from HHI quit smoking to join the church. They both did it cold turkey. Karen never went back, but years later Earl took it up again. I bet it's harder to quit the second time. I was always so proud of Karen.
Leah and Nikki still pray for the Gonzalez family and Nikki always remembers to mention Lexi and prays for her to get baptized when she turns 8.
Alex and Kristina just got back from a fireside with the 8th ward where a man who used to be head of the CES for the church spoke. He's Sis. Lisa VanWagenen's dad and traveled the world setting up seminaries and training. He was gone about 200 days a year when they were growing up. Alex said it was a very humbling talk as he shared experiences of kids all around the world and the sacrifices they made just to get to seminary each day and especially the stories about the sacrifices the missionaries in Latin America make just to be able to serve. Do they have early morning seminary there in Cordoba? Is it well attended? When you get a chance, ask some of the native elders what they had to do to get on their missions.
so you had transfers but are staying in the office...Do you know who your new comp is? Have you had any Argentine comps yet? I hope you get that chance. I looked in my address book on the computer and I had your cell phone numbers there, so if they are the same, I think we're good to go for Mother's Day. I'm excited.
I wrote Hma. Paez again, but I haven't heard from her. I took advantage of the fact that Kirk was here in the house and had him translate for me. I sent her some recent photos too. Let me know if she didn't get my letter from last week, cuz I'll just send you a copy of it and let you deliver it.
Leah got her hair cut much shorter yesterday. We'll take pix this week and send them to you. Nikki wants to grow hers out to her waist. She's a true Samoan with the beautiful long black hair. Leah's just wants the ease and comfort of short hair. She looks cute.
I thought of you today when I was reading the book of Jonah in the OT. His whole chapter is a report about his mission in life and what a humble man to actually share his failings and struggles. But there are so many things we can learn from his lessons and I really appreciated what he recorded.
We sent your b-day boxes off this week. I'll be putting extra money into your acct to cover these. We didn't realize it was costing so much on your end. About how much do you end up paying for a typical package? Dad says there are bigger boxes available now from the US postal service, so if you pay the same regardless of what it weighs, it would be cheaper on our end to send a bigger box. So let us know how you get charged on your end. On that same note, I've been really impressed with your budgeting these last few months. You must be living within your mission allowance because there's been no activity in the bank account. That's really good practice for post mission life. There's always going to be a budget no matter how much money you make and to live below and well within it is a talent that pays handsomely.
Dad just came in and said Austin Smack got his mission call this week to St. Louis MO mission. He leaves in July and actually goes into the MTC the same day as Tim Givens. Dad sends his love. We have to give up the computer so Alex can finish his Spanish homework. He says he's number one in his class and loves Spanish. We will takes pics at the wedding this weekend and send your love to the family.
Have a fun, productive week. Be easy on the new guys in the office.
Love you loads,
momxoxoxoxoxoxooxox
Monday, August 23, 2010
13 apr 2008
April 13, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
We've just been sitting outside on the back porch enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I love sitting out there at night. We went on a family walk earlier. We walked through the Poulson's new house they're building which is across from the Bingham's. They haven't sold their house across the street yet, but I think they're moving into their new home regardless. There are quite a few people in the ward who want to move out this summer. We'll see if it all happens. Hopefully, we'll also get some new families in, but right now the market is still so depressed and houses are not selling at all.
Alex is at Bro. Shaw's at an Academy planning meeting. It's that time of year. He had his last ward conference today. He went to prom last night and I'll send some pix so you can see him. He looked great and he said they had a fun time. They went to a Thai restaurant for dinner, then to the dance, then to the Yorgason's for chocolate fountain afterwards. Since Courtney Bingham just lives down the street, he walked home after he dropped her off.
Kirk came home on Friday and it's been having him here again. He went to Ashley Gooch's homecoming talk today and had a nice talk with her. She invited him over to her house after church for some desserts, so Alex ended up going too. Kirk said he's going to call Ashley this week and do something with her. He's home for just this week and then heads back to school for his summer semester. He's going to help dad in the yard this week. His only two requests are that he wants to go golfing this week and wants to eat at Costa Vida. I think we can make that happen.
Kristina had her ballet recital this past week. She looked beautiful and performed wonderfully. I'll send pix of that too. So now she just has to practice for her High School Musical performance in May. Rivendell (now called ArtsWest) is starting to get built. The school has had to meet in trailers this past year, but by fall they should have their new place. It will really be nice. Justin is busy as ever with all of this.
Sis. McCauley said they got your letter this week and really enjoyed it. She said she really liked your style of writing and how creative it was. It really was a great letter and you've learned and lived so much this past year. I know it hasn't been the easiest year, but I also am old enough and wise enough now to know that's where you learn the most. My easy times aren't very educational, no big lessons learned, but they are still fun.
So how is the Gonzalez family this week? Are they married yet? I'm impressed with Wilki actually wanting to know for himself if the things he's hearing are true. As a family today we read about King Limoni and it was a reminder of how powerful the spirit of Christ is to the investigator. I hope they are still progressing. We are still praying for them. Tell them hello for me. I look forward to meeting them.
News from the homefront-Tim Givens got his mission call to the Berlin Germany mission and is leaving in July.
I've been on the hunt for new piano music, to learn a new song. I've been listening to a lot of songs and when I finally thought I found one that I would love to play, I couldn't find the sheet music anywhere. So aggravating! The composer is current, so I may have to write him and see where I can get the music.
This week I got a fun phone call. Sister Fisher (grandma Fisher) called me from SLC. She just wanted to let me know about their visit to Cordoba and seeing you and visiting with you, etc. It was so fun to hear from someone who had just been with you. She said they loved their trip there and being with the missionaries was the best. We talked for about 10 minutes about their trip there and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She said you looked great and loved hearing you play the piano.
So you must be heading into Fall now since we are enjoying Spring. Are you getting any good fall color there? I haven't heard you say anything lately about your knee. Has it been healing? Keep up the exercises. It might be something you will have to keep up on for the rest of your life in order to keep the strength in your leg.
We're sending off another package this week. We'll call this one your birthday package. Last minute requests will be looked into, but not all will make the box.
You haven't said much about your companion. How are things going there? Do you work well together, etc.? Hope you're enjoying the work. Just remember to turn any stumbling blocks you come across into stepping stones. It's all in how you look at it.
Have a great day. Stay true.
Love you,
momxoxoxooxoxoxooxoxoxooxoox
Dear Elder Sean,
We've just been sitting outside on the back porch enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I love sitting out there at night. We went on a family walk earlier. We walked through the Poulson's new house they're building which is across from the Bingham's. They haven't sold their house across the street yet, but I think they're moving into their new home regardless. There are quite a few people in the ward who want to move out this summer. We'll see if it all happens. Hopefully, we'll also get some new families in, but right now the market is still so depressed and houses are not selling at all.
Alex is at Bro. Shaw's at an Academy planning meeting. It's that time of year. He had his last ward conference today. He went to prom last night and I'll send some pix so you can see him. He looked great and he said they had a fun time. They went to a Thai restaurant for dinner, then to the dance, then to the Yorgason's for chocolate fountain afterwards. Since Courtney Bingham just lives down the street, he walked home after he dropped her off.
Kirk came home on Friday and it's been having him here again. He went to Ashley Gooch's homecoming talk today and had a nice talk with her. She invited him over to her house after church for some desserts, so Alex ended up going too. Kirk said he's going to call Ashley this week and do something with her. He's home for just this week and then heads back to school for his summer semester. He's going to help dad in the yard this week. His only two requests are that he wants to go golfing this week and wants to eat at Costa Vida. I think we can make that happen.
Kristina had her ballet recital this past week. She looked beautiful and performed wonderfully. I'll send pix of that too. So now she just has to practice for her High School Musical performance in May. Rivendell (now called ArtsWest) is starting to get built. The school has had to meet in trailers this past year, but by fall they should have their new place. It will really be nice. Justin is busy as ever with all of this.
Sis. McCauley said they got your letter this week and really enjoyed it. She said she really liked your style of writing and how creative it was. It really was a great letter and you've learned and lived so much this past year. I know it hasn't been the easiest year, but I also am old enough and wise enough now to know that's where you learn the most. My easy times aren't very educational, no big lessons learned, but they are still fun.
So how is the Gonzalez family this week? Are they married yet? I'm impressed with Wilki actually wanting to know for himself if the things he's hearing are true. As a family today we read about King Limoni and it was a reminder of how powerful the spirit of Christ is to the investigator. I hope they are still progressing. We are still praying for them. Tell them hello for me. I look forward to meeting them.
News from the homefront-Tim Givens got his mission call to the Berlin Germany mission and is leaving in July.
I've been on the hunt for new piano music, to learn a new song. I've been listening to a lot of songs and when I finally thought I found one that I would love to play, I couldn't find the sheet music anywhere. So aggravating! The composer is current, so I may have to write him and see where I can get the music.
This week I got a fun phone call. Sister Fisher (grandma Fisher) called me from SLC. She just wanted to let me know about their visit to Cordoba and seeing you and visiting with you, etc. It was so fun to hear from someone who had just been with you. She said they loved their trip there and being with the missionaries was the best. We talked for about 10 minutes about their trip there and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her. She said you looked great and loved hearing you play the piano.
So you must be heading into Fall now since we are enjoying Spring. Are you getting any good fall color there? I haven't heard you say anything lately about your knee. Has it been healing? Keep up the exercises. It might be something you will have to keep up on for the rest of your life in order to keep the strength in your leg.
We're sending off another package this week. We'll call this one your birthday package. Last minute requests will be looked into, but not all will make the box.
You haven't said much about your companion. How are things going there? Do you work well together, etc.? Hope you're enjoying the work. Just remember to turn any stumbling blocks you come across into stepping stones. It's all in how you look at it.
Have a great day. Stay true.
Love you,
momxoxoxooxoxoxooxoxoxooxoox
28 Jul 2008
28 Jul 2008
Hey Elder Sean! we are just winding down from a night of games...10,000, animal game and telephone. The way to make it really fun is to give Nikki and Leah some sugar right before we play and then then real silliness begins as we laugh at the simplest of Nikki-isms. We were laughing so hard tonight at the little girls and then once we were in the slap stick mood anything we said or did seemed too funny. Alex is down in the basement with Dallas, Kirk is on the phone with Rachael, the little girls are in bed and Kristina and Mom are talking in our bedroom so finally we are back under control tonight! We played all night out on the back patio, even braved the hungry mosquitoes to continue the fun. It was a good night.
This week was almost back to normal. We took the youth of the ward to the Twin Falls Temple open house on Wednesday. About 8 cars full of kids and adults went to the open house. The new temples are so beautiful, it makes you want to upgrade the Boise Temple pretty badly, but it is not the prettiness of the room that counts it is the ordinance that counts(well, that is what I tell myself). We went to the Shoshone Falls afterward for a snack dinner and looked at the falls. There is so much water this year there is still a good amount of water going over the falls. It was so much better than the last time we went and the falls looked like a dry rock cliff. In the temple the world room has a mural of the falls as it would appear before modern man appeared on the scene, very beautiful! We are home for the next 2 weeks before we leave for our family vacation to Oregon. We are going to Portland for a weekend and then spending the next week on the coast in a rental home bef
ore coming back thru Sisters and Bend like we did the one year with you.
We still have not received any letters from you, except for the test letter you sent off quickly to us, Mom is trying to be strong but if you can beg for mercy from Pres Olsen, I know your Mom would appreciate any quick note from you to tell us what is going on in your mission. She would never ask so I'll do it and you can blame me when you ask President Olsen to lift the ban...obedience is important but pleading for mercy is not such a bad thing.
Well Sean, I'll turn the letter writing over to your Mom for the remainder of this note. I love you and appreciate your service. Jonathan Loosle spoke to us last week and reported his mission to Lima Peru, he looked lost in the Park Lane Ward this week, enjoy the field while you can! We will not try to do any travel plans to pick you up until around Christmas so relax about things and we will see how much everything cost before we get a chance to make too many commitments. The way things are going this year, by next spring we maybe only able to send Barkley down to escort you home. It is not that bad in our home but alot of Eagle Stake members are suffering, so enjoy being a carefree servant of the Lord as long as you can. I love and miss you, Sean; Dad
Hi Elder Sean, mom here. I'm feeling pretty full and sluggish. For my birthday, Jill asked me what my favorite treat was. I said, no way am I going to tell you cuz you'll just get it for me. She promised me she wouldn't get it for my birthday and we started talking about ice cream. I said my all time favorite was pralines and cream from Baskin Robbins. Well, of course, the next day (not my birthday) a huge, and I mean huge, container of BR pralines and cream showed up in our freezer. We have been having it every night including all of Alex's friends and there's still plenty of it left. I think I may not have it again for another 20 years, plus the fact that dad and I have probably put back on any of the weight we managed to lose in the last few weeks.
So how are you doing? I'm dying to hear from you. We don't know anything that has happened in the last 3 weeks and miss knowing the details and names of people you are working with so we can pray for them. I hope you're getting our letters at least. That's more important.
Nikki still prays for Fernando every night. I hope you are finding some great investigators. Are you still in the office? How's the new guy that took over your old job? Is he handling it all? What are your duties now?
I spent my Sunday jumping from piano bench to piano bench. I had to fill in last minute for Primary for a bit, then they needed me to play for the closing song in Relief Society so I jumped over there. Jon Loosle did sharing time in Primary and when he asked the kids if they had any questions, they all started raising their hands and showing him how they could count in Spanish. One little girl kept telling him how she learned her Spanish from Dora the Explorer. I'm not sure if those were the responses he was hoping for, but it was entertaining.
We spent the afternoon and early evening jamming with our instruments. I got a mandolin for my birthday, so I gave a little recital of what I've learned so far. Alex brought up his new guitar, Kirk brought up your electric guitar and Kristina brought out my banjo. After a bit of practicing we managed to get Alex to accompany me, Kristina, Kirk, Leah and Nikki to Lemon Tree. Then we started on Edleweiss. Lots of fun. We entertained ourselves but it probably wouldnt be very entertaining to anyone else. Randy Pinder is going to start having blue grass nights at his house and invited me to come. I'm going for sure. Sounds like fun.
Our temple trip to Twin Falls was wonderful. Because dad worked the night before, I drove and also took Nikki and Leah with us. It was beautiful and Nikki and Leah loved it. It gave me a good chance to talk about things. Afterwards, Nikki came up to me and said she really liked the room with the big beautiful glass light. It was the celestial room. She said she felt good in there because she was thinking about me. Then she gave me a big hug. Leah came up to me at a separate time and said she got tears in her eyes in there and wanted to know if I did too. I told her I did and then explained how sometimes when the spirit is teaching us something and letting us know something is right and true, that sometimes we get tears in our eyes because of the feeling. We were in the right place at the right time--
Alex is busy with Dallas trying to think of a date for date night this Wednesday night at Trevin's for their priest quorum activity. Kirk is still talking with Rachel on the phone. I've never heard him talk so much. It's probably a good sign.
Well, I hope to hear from you soon. You're a wonderful son and I know you're working hard each day. It doesn't take a letter for me to know that. Keep up the good work and remember whose side you are on. You're part of a great force in the world.
I love you very much.
momxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo
Hey Elder Sean! we are just winding down from a night of games...10,000, animal game and telephone. The way to make it really fun is to give Nikki and Leah some sugar right before we play and then then real silliness begins as we laugh at the simplest of Nikki-isms. We were laughing so hard tonight at the little girls and then once we were in the slap stick mood anything we said or did seemed too funny. Alex is down in the basement with Dallas, Kirk is on the phone with Rachael, the little girls are in bed and Kristina and Mom are talking in our bedroom so finally we are back under control tonight! We played all night out on the back patio, even braved the hungry mosquitoes to continue the fun. It was a good night.
This week was almost back to normal. We took the youth of the ward to the Twin Falls Temple open house on Wednesday. About 8 cars full of kids and adults went to the open house. The new temples are so beautiful, it makes you want to upgrade the Boise Temple pretty badly, but it is not the prettiness of the room that counts it is the ordinance that counts(well, that is what I tell myself). We went to the Shoshone Falls afterward for a snack dinner and looked at the falls. There is so much water this year there is still a good amount of water going over the falls. It was so much better than the last time we went and the falls looked like a dry rock cliff. In the temple the world room has a mural of the falls as it would appear before modern man appeared on the scene, very beautiful! We are home for the next 2 weeks before we leave for our family vacation to Oregon. We are going to Portland for a weekend and then spending the next week on the coast in a rental home bef
ore coming back thru Sisters and Bend like we did the one year with you.
We still have not received any letters from you, except for the test letter you sent off quickly to us, Mom is trying to be strong but if you can beg for mercy from Pres Olsen, I know your Mom would appreciate any quick note from you to tell us what is going on in your mission. She would never ask so I'll do it and you can blame me when you ask President Olsen to lift the ban...obedience is important but pleading for mercy is not such a bad thing.
Well Sean, I'll turn the letter writing over to your Mom for the remainder of this note. I love you and appreciate your service. Jonathan Loosle spoke to us last week and reported his mission to Lima Peru, he looked lost in the Park Lane Ward this week, enjoy the field while you can! We will not try to do any travel plans to pick you up until around Christmas so relax about things and we will see how much everything cost before we get a chance to make too many commitments. The way things are going this year, by next spring we maybe only able to send Barkley down to escort you home. It is not that bad in our home but alot of Eagle Stake members are suffering, so enjoy being a carefree servant of the Lord as long as you can. I love and miss you, Sean; Dad
Hi Elder Sean, mom here. I'm feeling pretty full and sluggish. For my birthday, Jill asked me what my favorite treat was. I said, no way am I going to tell you cuz you'll just get it for me. She promised me she wouldn't get it for my birthday and we started talking about ice cream. I said my all time favorite was pralines and cream from Baskin Robbins. Well, of course, the next day (not my birthday) a huge, and I mean huge, container of BR pralines and cream showed up in our freezer. We have been having it every night including all of Alex's friends and there's still plenty of it left. I think I may not have it again for another 20 years, plus the fact that dad and I have probably put back on any of the weight we managed to lose in the last few weeks.
So how are you doing? I'm dying to hear from you. We don't know anything that has happened in the last 3 weeks and miss knowing the details and names of people you are working with so we can pray for them. I hope you're getting our letters at least. That's more important.
Nikki still prays for Fernando every night. I hope you are finding some great investigators. Are you still in the office? How's the new guy that took over your old job? Is he handling it all? What are your duties now?
I spent my Sunday jumping from piano bench to piano bench. I had to fill in last minute for Primary for a bit, then they needed me to play for the closing song in Relief Society so I jumped over there. Jon Loosle did sharing time in Primary and when he asked the kids if they had any questions, they all started raising their hands and showing him how they could count in Spanish. One little girl kept telling him how she learned her Spanish from Dora the Explorer. I'm not sure if those were the responses he was hoping for, but it was entertaining.
We spent the afternoon and early evening jamming with our instruments. I got a mandolin for my birthday, so I gave a little recital of what I've learned so far. Alex brought up his new guitar, Kirk brought up your electric guitar and Kristina brought out my banjo. After a bit of practicing we managed to get Alex to accompany me, Kristina, Kirk, Leah and Nikki to Lemon Tree. Then we started on Edleweiss. Lots of fun. We entertained ourselves but it probably wouldnt be very entertaining to anyone else. Randy Pinder is going to start having blue grass nights at his house and invited me to come. I'm going for sure. Sounds like fun.
Our temple trip to Twin Falls was wonderful. Because dad worked the night before, I drove and also took Nikki and Leah with us. It was beautiful and Nikki and Leah loved it. It gave me a good chance to talk about things. Afterwards, Nikki came up to me and said she really liked the room with the big beautiful glass light. It was the celestial room. She said she felt good in there because she was thinking about me. Then she gave me a big hug. Leah came up to me at a separate time and said she got tears in her eyes in there and wanted to know if I did too. I told her I did and then explained how sometimes when the spirit is teaching us something and letting us know something is right and true, that sometimes we get tears in our eyes because of the feeling. We were in the right place at the right time--
Alex is busy with Dallas trying to think of a date for date night this Wednesday night at Trevin's for their priest quorum activity. Kirk is still talking with Rachel on the phone. I've never heard him talk so much. It's probably a good sign.
Well, I hope to hear from you soon. You're a wonderful son and I know you're working hard each day. It doesn't take a letter for me to know that. Keep up the good work and remember whose side you are on. You're part of a great force in the world.
I love you very much.
momxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo
First Email to Alex 8-21-10
August 22, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
Well, I thought I better get an email to you just in case you get a chance to write in the next couple days. I wasn't sure what your schedule would be. I know by now you've packed and will be on your way to Tennessee tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from you, both on the phone if you get a chance and also by email from the field.
We went to Austin's farewell today. He did such a great job. He made a lot of points about listening to the spirit and responding to the spirit. He gave a lot of personal experiences, one where he didn't listen while at Alma Academy when he was afraid to speak up in his cabin. He and the other guys started talking about ghost stories and things turned to quite an evil feeling. Austin kept feeling like they should start singing hymns to thwart off the feeling, but he was embarrassed to say anything. A few minutes later one of the other guys suggested singing and everyone wholeheartedly agreed since they were all feeling the same thing. After singing Ye Elders of Israel, they all felt so much better and were able to sleep well. The other time he felt a strong prompting was while he was at BYU cruising late at night (not sure if you were with him or not) and the car broke down. He kept getting the prompting that he should pray and this time he listened and suggested it. But then he talked about how the answer you get isn't always the answer you pray for. The car didn't ever start but they were able to hitch a ride back safely. Terri cried through most of it. She said it was harder than when Jared spoke. She said she's really going to miss Austin. There was a good turn out from our stake there. The Warrs were there too.
We went over to their house tonight for an open house and in fact, Kirk and Sean are still there playing games. Terri and I had a good talk. She has separated from her husband. She told me about the problems they are having and I think it's a good idea that she get away from him. So now she's living in an apartment, but says she and Tim get along great. Jared has a girlfriend and they look cute together. She's been married before and has a 3 yr old, but Jared looks very happy, so we'll see where this goes.
We celebrated Kirk's 24th birthday yesterday. He picked a place to go out to lunch-Qdoba's and then he opened presents. His main present was a portable weight set he could take back to college. Then late last night we all went black light mini golfing. He and Laura are still texting non-stop and are looking forward to dating again back at school.
Last night we also went to 3 wedding receptions-Garrett and Kayla Frame, Megan Stewart and her new husband Jerry Garcia(love that name) and also Katie Williams from the 8th ward. The girls liked the food at the Frame wedding the best-crepes and Italian ices. All of Sean's buddies were there too including Nate who is now engaged and getting married in October.
Today I went to the Eagle 5th ward as an official visit and I saw Dana there, so we talked. She wanted to know how you were doing, etc. and she wanted me to tell you hello and hope you are doing well. I told her to write you.
The Western Idaho Fair is going now and we double dated with the Hugentoblers to the fair on Friday night. Mel had never been to it before so we had to show him around. We had a nice visit with Travis and Uncle Bill there. Kirk will be working the Fair this week and believe it or not, Sean is going to be working at Pro Image this week. I'll believe it when I see it.
Dad went to 11 yr old day camp on Saturday, but only had one boy from the ward. It was at the Tanner's backyard since they have a pond and everything. He said it was the perfect place for it. But they had to hire a group from Nampa to come do the archery this year.
Only one week til school starts for the girls. I went in and talked with the principal of Eagle Elementary and told him my concerns from what happened at the end of the school year with some of Leah's friends, etc. After a long talk, I said I would keep the girls in their school if they could guarantee that Leah and Lauren (her bad influence friend) were not in the same class, if the wonderful IEP resource teachers were coming back this year(they know Leah so well and are great with her) and if they would guarantee that Nikki would not have Mrs. Mapp(Leah's teacher from last year-that class was out of control). He said yes to everything and had even heard about all the troubles in Leah's class last year and had gone in and talked with the kids very sternly. He ended up suspending 3 of the students from her class for 3 days, so I knew he was serious about this. So I'm pretty happy that they can stay at the same school. Leah is in Mrs. Bunn's class which will be great, and Nikki has Mrs. Roban who is considered a very strict teacher which will be helpful to Nikki.
Well, that's about it for around here. I hope you enjoyed the treats and boxes and letters we sent to the MTC. We are always thinking about you and love doing things for you. You are in every prayer. I'm so excited for you to be out in the field and can't wait to hear your stories. You have been prepared since you were young for this time and you are now very capable of being an instrument in the hand's of the Lord.
Love you,
Mom
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxooxoxooxxoxo
Dear Elder Alex,
Well, I thought I better get an email to you just in case you get a chance to write in the next couple days. I wasn't sure what your schedule would be. I know by now you've packed and will be on your way to Tennessee tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from you, both on the phone if you get a chance and also by email from the field.
We went to Austin's farewell today. He did such a great job. He made a lot of points about listening to the spirit and responding to the spirit. He gave a lot of personal experiences, one where he didn't listen while at Alma Academy when he was afraid to speak up in his cabin. He and the other guys started talking about ghost stories and things turned to quite an evil feeling. Austin kept feeling like they should start singing hymns to thwart off the feeling, but he was embarrassed to say anything. A few minutes later one of the other guys suggested singing and everyone wholeheartedly agreed since they were all feeling the same thing. After singing Ye Elders of Israel, they all felt so much better and were able to sleep well. The other time he felt a strong prompting was while he was at BYU cruising late at night (not sure if you were with him or not) and the car broke down. He kept getting the prompting that he should pray and this time he listened and suggested it. But then he talked about how the answer you get isn't always the answer you pray for. The car didn't ever start but they were able to hitch a ride back safely. Terri cried through most of it. She said it was harder than when Jared spoke. She said she's really going to miss Austin. There was a good turn out from our stake there. The Warrs were there too.
We went over to their house tonight for an open house and in fact, Kirk and Sean are still there playing games. Terri and I had a good talk. She has separated from her husband. She told me about the problems they are having and I think it's a good idea that she get away from him. So now she's living in an apartment, but says she and Tim get along great. Jared has a girlfriend and they look cute together. She's been married before and has a 3 yr old, but Jared looks very happy, so we'll see where this goes.
We celebrated Kirk's 24th birthday yesterday. He picked a place to go out to lunch-Qdoba's and then he opened presents. His main present was a portable weight set he could take back to college. Then late last night we all went black light mini golfing. He and Laura are still texting non-stop and are looking forward to dating again back at school.
Last night we also went to 3 wedding receptions-Garrett and Kayla Frame, Megan Stewart and her new husband Jerry Garcia(love that name) and also Katie Williams from the 8th ward. The girls liked the food at the Frame wedding the best-crepes and Italian ices. All of Sean's buddies were there too including Nate who is now engaged and getting married in October.
Today I went to the Eagle 5th ward as an official visit and I saw Dana there, so we talked. She wanted to know how you were doing, etc. and she wanted me to tell you hello and hope you are doing well. I told her to write you.
The Western Idaho Fair is going now and we double dated with the Hugentoblers to the fair on Friday night. Mel had never been to it before so we had to show him around. We had a nice visit with Travis and Uncle Bill there. Kirk will be working the Fair this week and believe it or not, Sean is going to be working at Pro Image this week. I'll believe it when I see it.
Dad went to 11 yr old day camp on Saturday, but only had one boy from the ward. It was at the Tanner's backyard since they have a pond and everything. He said it was the perfect place for it. But they had to hire a group from Nampa to come do the archery this year.
Only one week til school starts for the girls. I went in and talked with the principal of Eagle Elementary and told him my concerns from what happened at the end of the school year with some of Leah's friends, etc. After a long talk, I said I would keep the girls in their school if they could guarantee that Leah and Lauren (her bad influence friend) were not in the same class, if the wonderful IEP resource teachers were coming back this year(they know Leah so well and are great with her) and if they would guarantee that Nikki would not have Mrs. Mapp(Leah's teacher from last year-that class was out of control). He said yes to everything and had even heard about all the troubles in Leah's class last year and had gone in and talked with the kids very sternly. He ended up suspending 3 of the students from her class for 3 days, so I knew he was serious about this. So I'm pretty happy that they can stay at the same school. Leah is in Mrs. Bunn's class which will be great, and Nikki has Mrs. Roban who is considered a very strict teacher which will be helpful to Nikki.
Well, that's about it for around here. I hope you enjoyed the treats and boxes and letters we sent to the MTC. We are always thinking about you and love doing things for you. You are in every prayer. I'm so excited for you to be out in the field and can't wait to hear your stories. You have been prepared since you were young for this time and you are now very capable of being an instrument in the hand's of the Lord.
Love you,
Mom
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxooxoxooxxoxo
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Elder Alex 8/10/10
August 10. 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
We got your first letter yesterday (Monday). I guess they decided to walk it down to California since it took so long. But Patrice picked it up from the Winn and then we met her at her apartment in Anaheim and picked it up. Then this morning we got your first email. You sound great and it's so fun to hear about everything. I can't believe how many people you know that are in there. That's wonderful.
We are all well here. We are packing up this morning from the Pepper Tree Hotel and heading over to visit with Maria and Hudson and hang out at the Redondo Beach pier, etc. Then we'll be coming back to Anaheim where we'll be staying in one of the new suites that Janet helped with. She's giving us a really good deal, but we're still shooting the wad. I hope it will be worth it. We'll take plenty of pictures and as soon as we're home we'll send you pictures.
My family are all doing well. It was good that you got to come with me a couple months ago to visit everyone cuz they're all about the same. Scott and Janet are now in their own place which they are super happy about. McKenna has moved back home with Toni, so she and Sean hung out. We had a family meeting with my parents and just my siblings. Mike and Chris were the only ones who didn't show up, but that wasn't surprising. My dad talked to us about the family trust, the partnership and his wishes for he and mom as they grow older. Then he told us an abbreviated life history and said how blessed he was in life. He said he didn't know why Heavenly Father had blessed him so much because he was such an imperfect man. My dad has always had a great outlook on life, always sees the silver lining of any situation. Then he bore his testimony to all of us. I recorded the whole thing on Sean's computer so that will be nice to have. I have awesome parents and I feel like my d
ad, how was I so blessed to have such great blessings in my life. Anyway, they both continue to set a beautiful example for me to follow.
I know already that you have leadership skills, so I'm glad you get a chance to learn more there in the MTC. I love hearing what you are learning, and I always enjoy any little details about anything.
This will have to be a little short, cuz we're out the door now. But hope you have a great day.
I love you and pray for you always,
momxoxoxoxoxo
Dear Elder Alex,
We got your first letter yesterday (Monday). I guess they decided to walk it down to California since it took so long. But Patrice picked it up from the Winn and then we met her at her apartment in Anaheim and picked it up. Then this morning we got your first email. You sound great and it's so fun to hear about everything. I can't believe how many people you know that are in there. That's wonderful.
We are all well here. We are packing up this morning from the Pepper Tree Hotel and heading over to visit with Maria and Hudson and hang out at the Redondo Beach pier, etc. Then we'll be coming back to Anaheim where we'll be staying in one of the new suites that Janet helped with. She's giving us a really good deal, but we're still shooting the wad. I hope it will be worth it. We'll take plenty of pictures and as soon as we're home we'll send you pictures.
My family are all doing well. It was good that you got to come with me a couple months ago to visit everyone cuz they're all about the same. Scott and Janet are now in their own place which they are super happy about. McKenna has moved back home with Toni, so she and Sean hung out. We had a family meeting with my parents and just my siblings. Mike and Chris were the only ones who didn't show up, but that wasn't surprising. My dad talked to us about the family trust, the partnership and his wishes for he and mom as they grow older. Then he told us an abbreviated life history and said how blessed he was in life. He said he didn't know why Heavenly Father had blessed him so much because he was such an imperfect man. My dad has always had a great outlook on life, always sees the silver lining of any situation. Then he bore his testimony to all of us. I recorded the whole thing on Sean's computer so that will be nice to have. I have awesome parents and I feel like my d
ad, how was I so blessed to have such great blessings in my life. Anyway, they both continue to set a beautiful example for me to follow.
I know already that you have leadership skills, so I'm glad you get a chance to learn more there in the MTC. I love hearing what you are learning, and I always enjoy any little details about anything.
This will have to be a little short, cuz we're out the door now. But hope you have a great day.
I love you and pray for you always,
momxoxoxoxoxo
Elder Alex-8/17/10
Aug. 17, 2010
Dear Elder Alex,
It was great getting your letter today. You sound good and I'm so glad you got a chance to sing while in the MTC. I know your time is short there, so I wasn't sure if you'd even be able to have the opportunity. Of course, I wish I could have heard it. Music can sometimes bring the spirit into a room faster than any other way.
This past weekend was Stake Conference. I was so happy when the Saturday evening session was over since I was one of the speakers. But I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's talks and was very uplifted by our stake conference. It seems like it's been so long since we've been to our ward and now this coming weekend we will be going to Austin's ward for his farewell. He and Jared came over last night. We played Wits and Wagers and then they went bowling. Sound familiar?? Sean is still here and will be here until around the 26th of August. Still no job but he probably holds the record for the most applications sent in.
We've been having David and Caryn's boys here the last few nights. Caryn's dad passed away and I went to his funeral today. Her dad was such a character, loved life, loved people and always cussed up a storm, but he was one of the most generous men I've known. He and his wife took in several extra children through the years and raised them as their own. His children shared lots of funny stories about him.
Looks like we'll be getting some new neighbors in a month in Karla's house. Jeff and Audra Davis are going to be renting her home for at least one year. Looks like Eddie will have a comrade, Frank, to buddy around with. It will be so nice having them in there. I've really missed having the Adcock's there.
Kristina got her driving permit today and is ecstatic about it. She took this super fast drivers' ed classin Emmett-2 DAYS!! Kind of weird, but hey she's done with it. I told her she will need to drive with me for probably more than 6 months since her class was so short. She's okay with that. Her teacher said she's actually a very good driver. She even drove on the freeway today. So we'll keep you posted on her driving skills or lack thereof.
Kirk is busy working for Travis. The fair starts this weekend, so he'll be busy with that too. Leah and Nikki are missing you, but Nikki does her best to take over for the humorous side of our family. They are in their bathing suits with the Leifson girls right now playing in the sand with the hose.
Dad is working in Weiser today. He'll be working his first shifts in Ontario Oregon the end of this month. Hopefully those will go well because they are shorter shifts and not as far to drive. He's also got 11 yr old Day Camp this weekend. Fond memories, eh?
I guess you heard that Tyler Trumbo came home early. I had some good talks with him while in California. You can tell he's very penitent and the remorse is very strong. He's looking for things to do in life to fill his void like family history, etc. I feel for him, but he's in good spirits and now has a stronger than ever desire to make good choices. He asked me to write him occasionally and keep in contact, so I'll be sure to do that. This next year will be pivotal for him.
Sounds like Cole is doing well and also David. I put your MTC address on your facebook, so hopefully you'll hear from a few people. Lots asked about you this past weekend. The email you used, is that the address we will be writing to once you're in the field?
Learn as much as you can from these experiences you're having in your district and in the MTC. Watch and listen to the way your Branch President responds to situations. These are all things for you to learn and will be beneficial to you later in life and also on your mission. You've been so blessed to have such awesome leaders always around you. Your dad is your greatest example of all and I know you'll realize that as life goes on. Their examples will come back to your mind often and you will be grateful. That's how powerful other people's testimonies and actions are. Remember that, as you are sharing your testimony with others.
We will do our best to get some of your "needs" to you before you depart. The only thing we can't ship is whitening mouth wash. They don't let you send liquids through the mail, so you'll just have to pick some up when you get in your first apartment.
We stood and sang Called to Serve at the funeral today. I wasn't thinking about Caryn's dad when we sang it though...
I'm so thankful you have been called and for how willing you are to serve. Keep up the great work and always remember whose work it is.
I love you very much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoox
Dear Elder Alex,
It was great getting your letter today. You sound good and I'm so glad you got a chance to sing while in the MTC. I know your time is short there, so I wasn't sure if you'd even be able to have the opportunity. Of course, I wish I could have heard it. Music can sometimes bring the spirit into a room faster than any other way.
This past weekend was Stake Conference. I was so happy when the Saturday evening session was over since I was one of the speakers. But I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's talks and was very uplifted by our stake conference. It seems like it's been so long since we've been to our ward and now this coming weekend we will be going to Austin's ward for his farewell. He and Jared came over last night. We played Wits and Wagers and then they went bowling. Sound familiar?? Sean is still here and will be here until around the 26th of August. Still no job but he probably holds the record for the most applications sent in.
We've been having David and Caryn's boys here the last few nights. Caryn's dad passed away and I went to his funeral today. Her dad was such a character, loved life, loved people and always cussed up a storm, but he was one of the most generous men I've known. He and his wife took in several extra children through the years and raised them as their own. His children shared lots of funny stories about him.
Looks like we'll be getting some new neighbors in a month in Karla's house. Jeff and Audra Davis are going to be renting her home for at least one year. Looks like Eddie will have a comrade, Frank, to buddy around with. It will be so nice having them in there. I've really missed having the Adcock's there.
Kristina got her driving permit today and is ecstatic about it. She took this super fast drivers' ed classin Emmett-2 DAYS!! Kind of weird, but hey she's done with it. I told her she will need to drive with me for probably more than 6 months since her class was so short. She's okay with that. Her teacher said she's actually a very good driver. She even drove on the freeway today. So we'll keep you posted on her driving skills or lack thereof.
Kirk is busy working for Travis. The fair starts this weekend, so he'll be busy with that too. Leah and Nikki are missing you, but Nikki does her best to take over for the humorous side of our family. They are in their bathing suits with the Leifson girls right now playing in the sand with the hose.
Dad is working in Weiser today. He'll be working his first shifts in Ontario Oregon the end of this month. Hopefully those will go well because they are shorter shifts and not as far to drive. He's also got 11 yr old Day Camp this weekend. Fond memories, eh?
I guess you heard that Tyler Trumbo came home early. I had some good talks with him while in California. You can tell he's very penitent and the remorse is very strong. He's looking for things to do in life to fill his void like family history, etc. I feel for him, but he's in good spirits and now has a stronger than ever desire to make good choices. He asked me to write him occasionally and keep in contact, so I'll be sure to do that. This next year will be pivotal for him.
Sounds like Cole is doing well and also David. I put your MTC address on your facebook, so hopefully you'll hear from a few people. Lots asked about you this past weekend. The email you used, is that the address we will be writing to once you're in the field?
Learn as much as you can from these experiences you're having in your district and in the MTC. Watch and listen to the way your Branch President responds to situations. These are all things for you to learn and will be beneficial to you later in life and also on your mission. You've been so blessed to have such awesome leaders always around you. Your dad is your greatest example of all and I know you'll realize that as life goes on. Their examples will come back to your mind often and you will be grateful. That's how powerful other people's testimonies and actions are. Remember that, as you are sharing your testimony with others.
We will do our best to get some of your "needs" to you before you depart. The only thing we can't ship is whitening mouth wash. They don't let you send liquids through the mail, so you'll just have to pick some up when you get in your first apartment.
We stood and sang Called to Serve at the funeral today. I wasn't thinking about Caryn's dad when we sang it though...
I'm so thankful you have been called and for how willing you are to serve. Keep up the great work and always remember whose work it is.
I love you very much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoox
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Sister Missionaries
A couple weeks ago we got to have the sister missionaries in our home for dinner. I love having them over and I really miss having the missionaries in our home more often like we did in Hilton Head, but we have to share them more here in Idaho.
There are 3 sisters together in this area and now we have another sister who is from Samoa. I felt like having Sister Aleki here last year was such a gift to our family and now to have another sister from the same area is amazing. Her name is Sister Sojelo (pronounced so yellow). She is actually from a different part of the island. While talking to her I made some comment about not being able to communicate with her family back home or if her family can email her, etc. She kind of laughed at what I said saying, of course, we have computers and TV, etc there. I told her all I knew about was the little girls' birth family and how they couldn't email because they had no computer, in fact, no electricity. She kind of laughed about that as if it wasn't really true.
So after dinner she wanted to see pictures of the girls' birth family. As she was looking at the pictures she kept saying, "they are really poor." Later on in the back yard, she walked over to me and said, "Their family is so poor. These girls are very lucky to be here." I told her I thought everyone on the island lived that same way because that was all I saw, but she assured me that her family had a normal house, with walls, electricity, etc.
The best part of their visit was after dinner when we asked them to leave us with a spiritual message. The older kids all were gone somewhere, so it was just Harold, the girls and I left. As we sat around the kitchen table, the sister missionaries bore their testimonies to us. Then Sister Sojelo spoke very plainly and strongly to the little girls. She told them how blessed they were and how Heavenly Father was looking after them. She told them that they were chosen to be here and to learn about the gospel and to live the gospel so that they could help their birth families back in Samoa. She told them that they had a very important mission and that they were missionaries chosen from all the people back in Samoa to be here and that their work was very important to Heavenly Father. She reminded them to be strong and to do what they were told by us and by the prophet. I was so impressed by what she was saying and how she was saying it. It gave me a renewed strength to help Leah and Nikki be those strong missionaries she was talking about. I want to help them so that they can bless their families back in Samoa.
This sister missionary made such a huge impact on me even though she was speaking to the girls and it couldn't have come at a better time because we had just had a hard weekend finding out that Leah had been surfing into horrible websites and showing Nikki, places she had been told about by a friend at school. It was such a shock to me and really woke me up to my role as a lionness at the gates of my home. The evil influences from the world can so easily creep into our homes and sometimes it doesn't just creep in, it literally pushes down the downs and throws itself into our faces. I had wonderful talks with the girls and many changes were made in our home, but then to have the sister missionaries with their powerful spirits come into our homes and leave us with such beautiful messages, it became a tender mercy I will never forget.
I am extremely blessed any time I can be reminded of who I am, my purpose, who my children are and who they can become. We all need these reminders constantly and you never know where they may come from, but I do know that if we are standing in the right places at the right times with the right people, these gentle nudges and reminders from Heavenly Father, these beautiful and much needed tender mercies, will come and our lives will be enriched.
There are 3 sisters together in this area and now we have another sister who is from Samoa. I felt like having Sister Aleki here last year was such a gift to our family and now to have another sister from the same area is amazing. Her name is Sister Sojelo (pronounced so yellow). She is actually from a different part of the island. While talking to her I made some comment about not being able to communicate with her family back home or if her family can email her, etc. She kind of laughed at what I said saying, of course, we have computers and TV, etc there. I told her all I knew about was the little girls' birth family and how they couldn't email because they had no computer, in fact, no electricity. She kind of laughed about that as if it wasn't really true.
So after dinner she wanted to see pictures of the girls' birth family. As she was looking at the pictures she kept saying, "they are really poor." Later on in the back yard, she walked over to me and said, "Their family is so poor. These girls are very lucky to be here." I told her I thought everyone on the island lived that same way because that was all I saw, but she assured me that her family had a normal house, with walls, electricity, etc.
The best part of their visit was after dinner when we asked them to leave us with a spiritual message. The older kids all were gone somewhere, so it was just Harold, the girls and I left. As we sat around the kitchen table, the sister missionaries bore their testimonies to us. Then Sister Sojelo spoke very plainly and strongly to the little girls. She told them how blessed they were and how Heavenly Father was looking after them. She told them that they were chosen to be here and to learn about the gospel and to live the gospel so that they could help their birth families back in Samoa. She told them that they had a very important mission and that they were missionaries chosen from all the people back in Samoa to be here and that their work was very important to Heavenly Father. She reminded them to be strong and to do what they were told by us and by the prophet. I was so impressed by what she was saying and how she was saying it. It gave me a renewed strength to help Leah and Nikki be those strong missionaries she was talking about. I want to help them so that they can bless their families back in Samoa.
This sister missionary made such a huge impact on me even though she was speaking to the girls and it couldn't have come at a better time because we had just had a hard weekend finding out that Leah had been surfing into horrible websites and showing Nikki, places she had been told about by a friend at school. It was such a shock to me and really woke me up to my role as a lionness at the gates of my home. The evil influences from the world can so easily creep into our homes and sometimes it doesn't just creep in, it literally pushes down the downs and throws itself into our faces. I had wonderful talks with the girls and many changes were made in our home, but then to have the sister missionaries with their powerful spirits come into our homes and leave us with such beautiful messages, it became a tender mercy I will never forget.
I am extremely blessed any time I can be reminded of who I am, my purpose, who my children are and who they can become. We all need these reminders constantly and you never know where they may come from, but I do know that if we are standing in the right places at the right times with the right people, these gentle nudges and reminders from Heavenly Father, these beautiful and much needed tender mercies, will come and our lives will be enriched.
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