With All Our Love

Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 7:41 AM
Subject: Howdy!

Hello Tanner!

If I said, "Hello, Elder Scheinerark," you'd know how Hunter felt when he saw his name in the paper this week. We've been butchered before but this might be the best! Hunter did so well in golf last week! He got third place, and led Fairland with a 44. I think there were about 24 golfers. He's garnering a lot of attention from the coach, which you know might be unusual. The coach stands by him at practice, shows him a course picture, and sees if he can hit it appropriately. It's nice to see him improve after putting in so many long hours in the backyard. He probably should have put in a few more hours practicing car maneuverability around cones, as he didn't pass that portion of his driving exam. He has to go back and redo that portion of it. Dr. Mak's car was perfect for the test, but when the exam proctor told him he couldn't look over his shoulder to back up, it threw Hunter for a curve ball. He also didn't know he would lose points every time he paused.

Porter's enjoying his managerial cross country role. Last weekend the varsity team traveled far away, leaving on Friday, and Porter was put in charge of all the other runners on Saturday. He spent some time with Dad and knocked off a required citizenship merit badge, and is down to camping and his project paperwork! Surprise of all surprises Porter's had no problems getting up for seminary. And, he doesn't mind going to bed a little earlier! It helps he doesn't have to travel far, that there's a whole room of kids downstairs waiting, or that it's his Mom that wakes him up and not a big brother.

Cooper is a big boy, but when he passes the sacrament, he looks like a Deacon, small compared to the rest of the boys. Very funny. His soccer team has 21 boys on it, and playing time is guaranteed only for one quarter. He played most of the 3 quarters in the scrimmage, so his season is definitely improving! This is his favorite sport, although this year he's not too excited about having to travel. When I pick him up at the middle school, he looks like he fits right in. He now wears Porter's "Y" shirt, with pride!

Sawyer had his first game Saturday. This is classic, so pay attention to my Mom skillz. Cooper, Miller, Breyer and myself were all set up under the tent, sitting in our wagon, slurping on water bottles and enjoying the breeze when I notice Sawyer gets THE main spot on the field, and is about to kick off the ball. I sit up a little straighter, as he has a new coach, and I didn't know if it would take some time to notice Sawyer's mad athletic abilities. The ref blows the whistle, makes crossing motions with his arms, and points down to Sawyer's cleats, points to the sidelines, and points to the coach. Sawyer walks off the field, head down, almost in tears, and says he can't play because he's wearing baseball cleats (size 5). Apparently they have an extra cleat right in front of the top of the shoe, and are ILLEGAL! Hello? Could parents receive guidance on this before the game? I am good, but not good enough! So, I put Cooper in charge of the tent party, and run the 1/4 mile trip to the van, drive home and check the shoe boxes in the attic and found seven pairs 3 and a 6, hop back in the car and stop at the consignment store, drop off three pairs of 3 and find a 4 and a 5 for $3 each (both with new tags still on them), drive back to the field, throw Sawyer the shoes out the window so he doesn't have to wait for me to run 1/4 back. He got in the 2nd quarter, played the rest of the game, scored their only goal, 1-0. He is fun to watch!

Miller had his first game as well. Funny! He kicked off for his team, and finished it off with a goal. Got the kick to him, and finished off their goal for them. Got the kick off back to him, and scored again. He only played two quarters, and got 6 of the 8 goals. He's very happy playing soccer, but this game his two brothers were cheering him on the sidelines, and he couldn't stop smirking. He was glad they were there. He did ask how long you'd be gone, and I knew he was thinking about his next soccer game for you. He's sprouted a little this summer, so he'll be a little taller in the pictures you see of him ;-)

Breyer's favorite thing to do this week is empty the game shelves. In thirty seconds flat, she's knocked over the boxes, pulled off the lids, opened the little boxes of 1000 questions, and dumped and mixed seven games right there on the floor. It's only 30 minutes clean up. I can handle it. Twice in one day no problem. She's a live wire, but look who she's following? Tornado and Twister. Church is not her favorite time of the week. She has learned with Dad on the stand, myself on the organ, Hunter behind the table to bless, Porter and Cooper passing, she either sits with Sawyer and Miller, or gets passed around. Since a 9 year old can barely supervise himself never mind his 5 year old brother, she gets passed around. So now when we walk in the church, she won't let go of me. If any one tries she screams! And she doesn't stop. From the beginning of the meeting to the end of the sacrament. Unless it's a brother. So I've decided we'll take turns. Cooper sat out this week, and Porter will be next.

You will be glad you weren't here last week! Breyer picked up some nasty super bug from nursery on Sunday, and threw up Tuesday night. Just once. Then she had the big D all day Wednesday and part of Thursday. By Thursday afternoon, Miller threw up, Cooper after dinner, and Jarrod, Hunter and Porter went down in the middle of the night. My stomach ached for two days, but just call me "old ironsides." Haven't lost it since 2nd grade! The boys all stayed home form school on Friday. Seminary was cancelled the night before, so it was a rest and recuperate kind of day.

Cub scouts has begun again on Tuesdays. Larry has graciously offered to babysit Breyer again for the hour or so. I have ten out of the eleven boys returning to begin their Bear rank, and will be having open house this week to hook a few more bodies. Last week's activity involved picking up trash around the host church, and building recycle boxes to collect recyclables for a month. I mention this only because a new mother came up to me and asked if I was "THE Mrs. Schenewark, mother of all those lovely boys." I must have given her a look, as I did not know who she was, and she quickly explained she was a sub at the schools, and loved having you in class. As well as Sawyer. Thank you!

I don't know if you've heard or not, but Neil Armstrong has died, complications from some heart procedure. I loved the statement by his family: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

I had to speak in church. I talked about how you have left, and Hunter is still without a license, so I've been his new companion on his lawn jobs. And, since I'm a capable individual I determined not to sit in the car and watch him when we can work together and get done more quickly. So last Saturday I accompanied Hunter to the Wilson's home. Their yard is large! The plan was for Hunter to begin weed whipping and I would start with mowing. Well, within two minutes of mowing I had run over Mr. Wilson's 100 foot extension cord to the weed whipper. It was painted green and had blended in with the long grass. After a long drive to Lowe's to replace Hunter's source of power, I resumed mowing. Within a few minutes, after mowing around a corner and over a bump, the lawn mower caught the corner of Mr. Wilson's outdoor rug and proceeded to chew it up. Saying I was mortified doesn't even come close! Obviously Mr. Wilson and I were destined to become good friends! I told him how these experiences we were sharing were excellent examples for my talk of how to prepare the rising generation. I had been in unfamiliar territory and was not aware of and did not know my hazards. These hazards were undetected. I believe if we are to prepare the rising generation, we need to know how to protect them, and what we're protecting them from. I quoted President Packard, who said, "I speak as one who has seen the past and would prepare you for the future. You are growing up in enemy territory. When you become mature spiritually you will understand how the adversary has infiltrated the world around you. He is in homes, entertainment, the media, language, everything around you. In most cases, his presence is undetected." And I asked, "If the rising generation is unable to detect Satan, and his hazards, how can they succeed? What things could they do, or we do, that would enable them or us to know where their hazards are, and how to avoid this unfamiliar territory?" Needless to say, your Amazonian blow dart gun story fit in perfectly! Thanks so much for sharing.

I love you! You make us proud.

Extra Love, Mom


Hello Tanner,

We are looking forward to your letter today. I will tell that we greatly enjoyed the one which arrived in the mail and hope you can send some more like that. I have attached the letter I had written, hopefully the pictures are able to be viewed. Your mom is mailing it off through pouch mail and you should get it soon, so DON'T SPEND YOUR TIME READING IT. Write.

I showed your brothers where you are at on Google Earth. It is different then I expected. I thought the structure of the MTC would be more like the one in Provo. I guess you do not have large fields to play on. Have you played volleyball on your p-day? What do you do for physical activity? I was happy to hear about you playing the piano for the fireside and participating in the musical number with other missionaries.

It looks as if your mom has written a fine letter for this day. Read and write. And send pictures. Do you have a way to back up pictures? Will you need a flash drive?

There is a very good article about Grampy, saying the prayer at the Republican National Convention, but most important in the article is the quote about prayer from your Grandfather:

"It doesn't matter what somebody's status is. It doesn't matter what culture they are from. It doesn't matter what their economic status is. When they open their mouth and talk to Heavenly Father, he hears and answers prayers. All anybody has to do is speak to him. He has ears for all of us and loves us all."

My son, I know that to be true and that principle will be one of the most important you can teach to anyone. If people will pray, I know that Heavenly Father is there to bless them. I am bless to have such a good son as you. Work hard, pray, and be humble. We pray for you and love you.

OOXoXXooOx,

Your Dad