We are starting to get back envelopes that we mailed to you. No wonder you're not getting them! Apparently there are restrictions on using the pouch in SLC, such as no envelope! The last return had instructions stamped on it, such as having only a piece of paper folded in thirds with a stamp. So, we're resending them all again to your Brazil address. Thankfully you have other members of your family who have kept the mail in your mailbox, as your parents have not been so successful. Aunt Nellie's letter came back to her as well!
Your companion's mother and I have been exchanging emails all week. Her son wrote about receiving a water bottle and filter from the CTM. Apparently you need to use this for all your drinking water. I've since found a few more missionaries that are serving in Londrina. One is named Elder Peterson. He became sick after drinking water without his filter. He was hospitalized with dengue fever. This is a mosquito borne illness. That's why you were required to bring repellent with DEET. Apparently these mosquito carriers are out in the day, especially early morning and evening before the sun sets. So take care during those times, and be obedient! I certainly don't want to be worrying over here while you're sick over there.
Sarah received her mission call, Ecquador! She'll be leaving after the semester ends, in January, and will be home within a month or so of you. Her family is so excited. Her mother emailed me and asked that I share this news with you.
Your Bolivian elder from La Paz reminds me of your father. He too joined all alone, with no support, and worked for and went on a mission. When I was dating your father his story impressed me so much I married him!
It seems like forever since I've sat down to type you a few thoughts, but when I look back on the week, I can't think of anything to write! Except I do know you make me proud. And happy. And I miss you. And I'm excited for you to go out and make a difference. Aunt Jenny shared this with us this week. I know you'll love reading about your cousin as much as I did.
"Last week I connected with my dear friend Cynthia in Utah, who happens to know this other missionary (Elder Clarke) and his family really well--they're neighbors and attend church together. She shared a letter that Elder Clarke had sent his parents about being assigned to serve with Yonder. Here's a portion:"
"So,... I received my new comp!! I don´t know if you guys remember me mentioning an Elder Whitcomb (picture is attached) a few weeks back?? My old zone leader from Boston, who´s friends with the Parsons family? Well, HE is my new companion. Am I the luckiest elder in the world or what?? Elder Whitcomb is going home October 4 - he currently has 23 months in the mission... I feel so blessed to be able to learn from him... Elder Whitcomb is known by many as the best missionary in the whole mission. He previously shared a house with the assistants in the heart of the city, and is coming from one of the strongest wards in all of the country. The Lord has blessed me so greatly to have him as a companion - I've already learned so much! And I´m so excited to be able to learn all his tips and tricks. Pres. told us he was excited to send two good elders to this tough area - I know together, we can see miracles." -Elder Clarke
Your father and I went to Frost Top Root Beer stand for our date last week. We told the boys we were running an errand, and Hunter wants to know where we're going. I told him over by the hospital. Then he wants to know who we're visiting in the hospital. I told him we would only be gone a few minutes. They're funny about being left with Breyer. But it is good to sneak away now and again. I chose to go there because I learned they make their root beer fresh everyday. We confirmed this when we arrived. It was good. There was no aftertaste like root beer off the shelf. I had mine with vanilla ice cream, and Dad had his with ice. Yum! We'll have go back and take the boys.
Saturday morning Dad took Hunter to get his license. We have another drive again, yeah! I was just reminded this morning, when Hunter was going to get a school parking pass, that his name needs to be on the insurance. I'm thankful for the checks and balances we have in life. I totally forgot to add him on our insurance until he asked for a copy of our insurance with his name listed as a driver. While they were in Ironton, I was doing soccer and cross country. It was the annual Run by the River, and they had asked me to make my cinnamon rolls to sell.
Your father and I went to Frost Top Root Beer stand for our date last week. We told the boys we were running an errand, and Hunter wants to know where we're going. I told him over by the hospital. Then he wants to know who we're visiting in the hospital. I told him we would only be gone a few minutes. They're funny about being left with Breyer. But it is good to sneak away now and again. I chose to go there because I learned they make their root beer fresh everyday. We confirmed this when we arrived. It was good. There was no aftertaste like root beer off the shelf. I had mine with vanilla ice cream, and Dad had his with ice. Yum! We'll have go back and take the boys.
Saturday morning Dad took Hunter to get his license. We have another drive again, yeah! I was just reminded this morning, when Hunter was going to get a school parking pass, that his name needs to be on the insurance. I'm thankful for the checks and balances we have in life. I totally forgot to add him on our insurance until he asked for a copy of our insurance with his name listed as a driver. While they were in Ironton, I was doing soccer and cross country. It was the annual Run by the River, and they had asked me to make my cinnamon rolls to sell.
They increased the price per roll to $1.50. I made a double batch, so they sold all 40, and the team profited $60.00. It probably cost me about $4.00 to make, and putting them in coffee filters was a brilliant idea on my part. Those filters are like giant muffin papers. I do miss having a runner in the race, but it's still fun to associate with the team.
After I dropped off Porter and the rolls, I went to soccer and found I had missed all of Miller's game :-( So Breyer and I were under an umbrella walking to Cooper's game when the light sprinkling of rain became an instant storm. It wasn't the deluge of rain that was miserable, but the wind! It sucked my umbrella up and inside out several times. Poor Breyer was not happy! Then it started ripping the tent canopies the player's were hiding under. Cooper's actually broke, pulled up, and went flipping down the field. All the players and parents began running to their cars, including us. I was headed back to get the car when it got worse, and the boys were having tent adventures, so by the time I picked them up it took a minute to find where they had relocated. It's always good to have a plan in case. That little incident made me think about larger disasters, and how I'll know where to find my children, or how they'll know where to find me. We need to have a plan. I drove to the cross country course, and the twenty or so team tents were all up and in one piece. There had been no wind by the river, so the races were continuing. This too made me pause and wonder how only a two mile difference could be so different. We all are out in the world, yet these experiences on our spirit can be wrecking havoc or, with the gospel in our lives, raining lightly on our umbrella. And, with your literal spiritual immersion, your spiritual self is enjoying beautiful 75 degree sunshine!
Hunter golfed last week and Monday. I know last week he was in the 40's, but was third on the team, and not so well overall. Monday he tied for first on the team, and tied for third overall. He's definitely improved since last year (yeah!). He was consistently in the 50's last year, and in the 40's this year. Hopefully he can inch himself closer to par, and break into the 30's. Larry and his friend helped Hunter attach a broken golf head to a new shaft. Hunter feels that contributed to him doing better on Monday. Speaking of Larry, yesterday he was out power washing his roof and house. He had used a ladder to get up on the roof, and while moving the power washer cord, knocked over his ladder. He spent a few minutes on the other neighbor's side yelling for help, and then jumped to his garage roof and yelled for help on my side of his house. Needless to say, I never heard him. Eventually the other neighbor heard him and was able to help Larry with his ladder, but I still feel awful. The one time Larry actually needed MY help and I couldn't hear him. He's always, always, always helping us, even when we don't ask for help, and I was not able to help him. It's a beautiful analogy on listening to the spirit. Heavenly Father is always helping us, and hears our prayers, yet we're not always able or willing to hear Him ask us for help in serving others, and being His hands to answer the prayers of others.
You are in our prayers. Others are answering our prayers by caring enough to send you mail. I know this makes you happy, and therefore makes me happy. It's nice to be remembered.
And I do remember you!
Mom
Hunter golfed last week and Monday. I know last week he was in the 40's, but was third on the team, and not so well overall. Monday he tied for first on the team, and tied for third overall. He's definitely improved since last year (yeah!). He was consistently in the 50's last year, and in the 40's this year. Hopefully he can inch himself closer to par, and break into the 30's. Larry and his friend helped Hunter attach a broken golf head to a new shaft. Hunter feels that contributed to him doing better on Monday. Speaking of Larry, yesterday he was out power washing his roof and house. He had used a ladder to get up on the roof, and while moving the power washer cord, knocked over his ladder. He spent a few minutes on the other neighbor's side yelling for help, and then jumped to his garage roof and yelled for help on my side of his house. Needless to say, I never heard him. Eventually the other neighbor heard him and was able to help Larry with his ladder, but I still feel awful. The one time Larry actually needed MY help and I couldn't hear him. He's always, always, always helping us, even when we don't ask for help, and I was not able to help him. It's a beautiful analogy on listening to the spirit. Heavenly Father is always helping us, and hears our prayers, yet we're not always able or willing to hear Him ask us for help in serving others, and being His hands to answer the prayers of others.
You are in our prayers. Others are answering our prayers by caring enough to send you mail. I know this makes you happy, and therefore makes me happy. It's nice to be remembered.
And I do remember you!
Mom
1 comment:
so sweet!
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