With All Our Love

Dear Tanner,

Hello from the land breaking and setting all new political records. The promised land wherein your vote decides the next President of the United States. The land of rallys, victory speeches, protests, phone calls, t.v. free commercials and neighborhood sign stealing. My birthday cannot come fast enough. We attended one of Romney’s rallys in Portsmouth Saturday afternoon at Shawnee State. It was fun! The weather was perfect, there was a slight breeze, the trees are changing color, the attendees were polite and cheerful, and we were about thirty feet away from the stage and Mitt. Secretly I was hoping after the rally he would walk down the aisle towards me, but he stayed on the stage and went around the higher edge to shake hands instead. One of the smiling points was figuring out why the sign language translator lady on the stage had three mikes in front of her. Like she was going to speak? Another was a Shawnee student’s tee shirt we were trying to convince Hunter to wear. “I put the STUD in Student Council.” The highlight was while leaving. We were bemoaning the fact we didn't have a dollar to buy you some Romney postcards, and this student/man overheard us and whipped one out of his pocket to share. Very sweet, and very American.

When we drove back home, we remembered the fairgrounds were hosting a local rally for Republican candidates, including free food, so the boys and Dad made a few trips there and came home with more Romney/Ryan signs. I admit I was a little grumpy this morning to find my Romney-Ryan sign stolen out of my front yard, but the boys came home from the rally with a few American flags and four more signs to fill its vacancy, and the fairgrounds with four Romney replacement signs. All is well once again, and the signs are not so close to the road.

Saturday began with three soccer games, all at Ohio University Southern and all at ten o’clock. We sat on the edges and corners where the three fields merged, and could keep an eye on everybody. Cooper, on a team of 21 boys, is only guaranteed a quarter of play each game. He usually gets in 1 ½ - 2 each game, which happened today, but he played up front instead of defense and scored a goal. It’s been a long time since I remember that happening. He’s fairly large on the field compared to his other 41 peers, and I know if he wasn’t so tenderhearted goals would be more frequent but I’m happy to have the gentle giant on my side. Sawyer made a lot of saves in goalie, and was pulled out one quarter to play upfront. After the new goalie let two go by he was put back. He loves it there the best, even though the coach would rather use his quickness up front. Miller’s team came up a few players short with a father as substitute coach who had obviously watched Miller play as he kept him in the whole game rather than his guaranteed two quarters. His game is the most fun to watch due to the field being the smallest, and the little bodies colliding and kicking each other to get to the ball. He’s got amazing turns and saves with his little feet, and a big boot when he kicks off.

Friday Hunter and I both worked concessions for the last home game. He was under the stands and I was over by the visitors. It was a little chilly outside, and we couldn’t keep up with the hot chocolate demands. I went just to get them through their half time rush, but still put in almost two hours. It’s fun to rub shoulders with those in the community you’d otherwise never get to associate with.

My emails this week with the Brazil Missionary Moms has included such topics as mailing packages, tracking packages, what to ship, how long their packages have taken to arrive, if they did arrive, water purification, sickness, safety, and pros/cons of blogs. As Moms of missionaries serving in Brazil, going through the same thing together at the same time, connections do form, and friendships do develop. There does seem to be some confusion about drinking water. You mentioned you no longer are able to use your water bottle given to you at the CTM. There are church buildings that have purifying systems in place, but does your NEW house have one? One mom mentioned sending a steri-pen through the mail that would purify water. Do you need something to help you or are you taken care of? __________ You mentioned sweating A LOT in your last letter, you should be drinking close to two gallons a day!

Be vigilant in watching over yourself. Don't take unnecessary chances...we do want you to remain safe! During the safety discussion, some Moms mentioned houses that were broken into and valuables taken, especially cash. Do you have a safe place for valuables? I know some Moms have gone to their banks, and exchanged cash for Brazil currency, and just mailed it in letters in small amounts. Some have used debit cards, but there’s always a fee charged so you lose some of your money. How would you like me to send you money? __________

Your companion mentioned in his letter how you said you were from Boston, lived in Ohio, and the district leader said Texas. He's a little confused as to where you are from. And, you also said your father was from Compton? Your grandmother said, "That's good! Keep him guessing!" I understand how your New England heart wants to be from there, but saying you CURRENTLY live in Ohio is okay as well.

We had someone from Tupa contact us on Facebook, said you were there in Tupa, and that you spoke Portuguese very well. How fun to have this modern communication where we can be in touch so easily. Speaking of Facebook, I've done nothing with your account thus far. I've emailed people your letters, and have invited them to the blog to read them, but have not posted anything. Any thoughts?

I saw a really great idea on-line from a news article talking about missionaries using chalk drawings to find investigators. They got a big strip of sidewalk in a busy park, went early and drew out the plan of salvation in pictures, and would talk to people who stopped to look. Would you like chalk if it's not available down there? __________

Your letter: Yes, I plan on mailing our extra conference Ensign when the magazine arrives. My favorite talk was Elder Hollands; Hunter's and Dad's was Elder Christofferson's talk in Priesthood. I too look forward to reading the talks! Your father was hoping you would send an election pamphlet or two and mail them home for the boys to see...do you still have some in your yard? I must admit I cried a little when I read you were only one of two piano players in your stake. It's the gift that keeps on giving! I must say requiring all my boys to learn how to play the piano was one of my more brilliant mom moments. You definitely weren't as hard as some of your brothers but I'll keep plugging away.

You mentioned wanting ideas in how to involve the members more in missionary work. Get out your pen, your brothers came up with an idea each during family home evening. Sawyer said to have them help you with a ward activity; Cooper said to invite yourself to go with them on their home teaching appointments; Porter said to organize service projects for nonmembers and have members help you; Hunter said to organize splits and have the members sign up to help; and Dad said to love the members - stop by and serve them when you can. I think your English classes are a good thing. Invite members to class, play lots of games, and have fun to more will want to come.

When/If you have a new home, is there a local address we can use for letters? Dad is impatiently wanting to know which way your water drains, clockwise or counterclockwise.

That's about it. We had our first "Eat like a Brazilian" night, rice and red beans, and most everybody conveniently was gone. Hunter commented that it was good, he always likes beans and rice, but he wasn't home. It was me and the little kids. Breyer squished it between her fingers and dropped it on the floor. Miller said, "This is good! My tummy is growling." And Sawyer said, "I love this but Aunt Becky's is better because she uses more butter." There you go. Eat Like a Brazilian Night Round One.

Have a wonderful week! We love you dearly! We're proud of you, and are thankful for your willingness to give all that you have for two years.

Mom and Dad