Hello Tanner!
We typed your new address into Google earth, and your house came up front and center. We're including a picture of it for you to verify you're living there. We assume the laundry doesn't belong to you as you supposedly arrived just Thursday, but nevertheless very exciting for us to see where you're living! I.love.modern.technology. I got the impression that missionaries usually live in groups rather than alone, so did all four of you move there, or just you and your companion?
We typed your new address into Google earth, and your house came up front and center. We're including a picture of it for you to verify you're living there. We assume the laundry doesn't belong to you as you supposedly arrived just Thursday, but nevertheless very exciting for us to see where you're living! I.love.modern.technology. I got the impression that missionaries usually live in groups rather than alone, so did all four of you move there, or just you and your companion?
Your Letter: Are you able to print off our letters, and reread them? Are you going to a library to email? You mentioned having quite the P-day, and that your president's pizza saved your life. Is it because you enjoyed eating something other than rice and beans, or had you not eaten for two days? A mother can worry a little! You'll have to share what your P-day activities include, how wash is done...I read a post somewhere of how an Elder in your mission lost his letter writing privileges for two weeks because his living conditions were less than clean...Thank goodness you're so clean and organized, right?! Dad wants to verify that the water does indeed spin counter clockwise (vs. the other way as mentioned) south of the border.
We were on boil advisory for 24 hours here this week due to a water main break, and went through a lot of our stored water supply. And, got to think of you even more.
I assume you'll scroll through the blog to catch up from August and September, or would you prefer me to send a few links to click on each week?
Your CTM companion is doing well. He said this past week his record in one day was teaching 16 times. He sounds happy and well. His poor mother never got her letter on Monday. She waited all day and all night, and finally Tuesday signed into his account, as he too gave his mother all his passwords, and saw that it was not able to be sent because he attached too many pictures. So once she took care of the pictures, she could read his letter.
It's up to you whether or not you open your packages when they arrive, or hold them for the special day. It would be hard not to, especially if it's not going to be a holiday down there, but just a regular work day. Christmas is a holiday there as well, so you will have fun waiting to open that package.
Are you cooking at all? One elder tried to make french toast, which you know how to do...have you made easy things to eat yet? Grilled cheese? Do you have access to pasta?
How is your RX for your face holding out? Do you need me to refill it? Will you need more before Christmas?
Your companion writes very informative letters. This was my favorite part: "The other day we were walking in the street and he dropped the Book of Mormon and it hit the ground. then he looked at me and said, " Does that mean my wife just got uglier?" This elder's a hoot!" He also shared that, "We spent this whole week on the other side of the city trying to find people to teach for the other missionaries when they arrive so when they get here they won't be completely lost." And, "We have to be like a spiritual drug to these people. We need to get in and get out and they need to miss us and our visits. They have to be addicted to us. He said, " I got it. Let's just roll up to people and say, "Hi, my name is Elder Cocaine and this is my companion Elder Heroine." And, your new "baptism" way of speaking. It sounds like he's enjoying you and you two are being very creative. I love reading about you in his letters.
Have you thought about carrying an extra pair of socks during the wet days, and changing mid-way to keep your feet drier? One elder told his mother that the best way to keep your shoes from getting moldy down there is to stuff the shoes with newspaper, when they're wet, and replace again before you go to bed. The next day, wear a different pair of shoes, and change the newspaper again. And keep repeating and rotating. Just a thought!
Monday began basketball tryouts for the high school, and Porter went. I was a little surprised, but thought he might when I explained to him that there was a separate team for freshmen. He's been running on the track and gym stairs, and playing a few games. For the first three days, the coaches didn't really know who the new kids were, but by Thursday Smith started to notice him a little more, and finally asked if he was related to "Texas." When Porter answered in the affirmative, his response was, "There's another Schenewark?" Very funny. Mr. Speed didn't know Porter was a "Schenewark" either." He had him in his 5th grade gym class our first year here, but that was before he knew his family would be so involved with Schenewarks.
Your companion writes very informative letters. This was my favorite part: "The other day we were walking in the street and he dropped the Book of Mormon and it hit the ground. then he looked at me and said, " Does that mean my wife just got uglier?" This elder's a hoot!" He also shared that, "We spent this whole week on the other side of the city trying to find people to teach for the other missionaries when they arrive so when they get here they won't be completely lost." And, "We have to be like a spiritual drug to these people. We need to get in and get out and they need to miss us and our visits. They have to be addicted to us. He said, " I got it. Let's just roll up to people and say, "Hi, my name is Elder Cocaine and this is my companion Elder Heroine." And, your new "baptism" way of speaking. It sounds like he's enjoying you and you two are being very creative. I love reading about you in his letters.
Have you thought about carrying an extra pair of socks during the wet days, and changing mid-way to keep your feet drier? One elder told his mother that the best way to keep your shoes from getting moldy down there is to stuff the shoes with newspaper, when they're wet, and replace again before you go to bed. The next day, wear a different pair of shoes, and change the newspaper again. And keep repeating and rotating. Just a thought!
Monday began basketball tryouts for the high school, and Porter went. I was a little surprised, but thought he might when I explained to him that there was a separate team for freshmen. He's been running on the track and gym stairs, and playing a few games. For the first three days, the coaches didn't really know who the new kids were, but by Thursday Smith started to notice him a little more, and finally asked if he was related to "Texas." When Porter answered in the affirmative, his response was, "There's another Schenewark?" Very funny. Mr. Speed didn't know Porter was a "Schenewark" either." He had him in his 5th grade gym class our first year here, but that was before he knew his family would be so involved with Schenewarks.
During family home evening, when Porter began songs, your sister hopped off the couch where she was sitting and proceeded to do somersaults and twirls. Music must be in her bones. She wouldn't stop until we finished singing. Of course we kept singing more and more songs, as we all enjoyed her antics, until she appeared to be getting dizzy, we called it quits. Very funny and cute. She loves music. Speaking of music, we finally got your recording of the CTM song...very fun to listen to. We played it over and over while we were at the table coloring for the FHE activity.
Tuesday the cub scouts drove to the soccer fields down the street. Luckily for us all the teams were wrapping up practice, and we were able to grab two fields. I put the "played soccer" boys on the big field with a a parent, and took the "never played" boys to a mini field and taught them the basics. They.had.a.ball! It was rewarding to see boys who have never played sports let loose on the field. There was indescribable joy just being able to run unchallenged by parental rules. And parents that had never seen their kid be athletic, were taking pictures non stop. I sent Miller and Sawyer to the field where boys knew how to play, but heard back that Sawyer was pretty dominant.
I've started the oldest Israelsen boy on the piano, so they come on Wednesdays. Miller loves having some company, and they stay extra long so the kids can play. It's been fun. Reminds me of Miller's "schedule." Instead of Sunday through Saturday, he knows the week by his activities: Church day, family home evening day, cub scout day, piano lesson day, soccer practice day, movie night day, soccer game day, and back to church. When was life was so simple, right? Now you have a schedule for every minute of your day!
Breyer follows Miller and does whatever he is doing. She is his constant side kick. Even when I'm gone for hours, she waves at me when I get back, and continues on her trot to keep up with Miller. Her hair grows longer, as her refusal to wear bows, barrettes, bobby pins and elastics grows as well. We call her "sheep dog," as her world is always viewed through the hair in her face.
Friday was Hunter's first practice and Porter's first practice with Hunter and the whole varsity quiz bowl team. Everyone had buzzers. Porter said Hunter definitely answered the most questions. Hunter said Porter answered the second most questions. All-in-all it was a fun experience, and everyone over here is looking forward to the new quiz bowl season to begin. These two have also decided to be partners in international night for language extra credit. They're doing Monaco. Their food they want help with is easy - kind of a tortilla with cumin and rosemary - that's broiled! This is probably the best part about these events, trying new foods. Brazil was gone, that was their first choice, and the only one they ever agreed on!
Today was Stake Conference. President Lim did an outstanding job. He spoke last and shared how he was driving across the Wyoming wasteland this summer, and the inspiration came to him for the theme of this stake conference: missionary work. He had all return missionaries as speakers the night before and today, including the patriarch and the mission president and his wife. The mission president spoke on how we probably all chose to come down at this time, when the work needs to be accelerated. He had every return missionary in the congregation as well as full time missionaries come to the front and sing, "Called to Serve." There wasn't a dry eye in the room. He says he felt gratitude during the announcement at general conference's about missionaries being able to serve earlier that his stake was heading in the right direction and doing the right things. Tonya Johnson and her choir sang "Go Forth With Faith" as prelude, and "Brightly Beams My Father's Mercy" as the closing song, in which the last phrase of the last verse was sung acapella-solo. Very powerful. Reminds me of your uncle's efforts and his missionary themed stake in Connecticut.
One of the counselors in the stake presidency, President Hunt, served his mission in San Jose, which I learned of last night, December 1987-1989. When I asked him if he served with an Elder Richard Hutchins, he paused to think. When I mentioned that he was a branch president, he said, "Oh, he was one of those "special" Spanish elders." It was pretty funny. He said he went on splits with Spanish speaking elders in the Watson area, but that he was going to go home and look at his pictures. How fun would that be to find my brother in his pictures? It's such a small world in the church!
My least favorite moment in writing you weekly is here, when I have to close the letter and be finished. Hopefully you are enjoying this compilation of weekly thoughts. We are always thinking of you. Every boy prays for you. They love the funny moments, and the Brazilian details. If I can get my act together, I would actually like to take your letters you wrote Cooper and Porter, and see if I can get them published as a New Era article. They were very well written. How would that be to put on your resume? We love you! We miss you! We hope all is well.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Tuesday the cub scouts drove to the soccer fields down the street. Luckily for us all the teams were wrapping up practice, and we were able to grab two fields. I put the "played soccer" boys on the big field with a a parent, and took the "never played" boys to a mini field and taught them the basics. They.had.a.ball! It was rewarding to see boys who have never played sports let loose on the field. There was indescribable joy just being able to run unchallenged by parental rules. And parents that had never seen their kid be athletic, were taking pictures non stop. I sent Miller and Sawyer to the field where boys knew how to play, but heard back that Sawyer was pretty dominant.
I've started the oldest Israelsen boy on the piano, so they come on Wednesdays. Miller loves having some company, and they stay extra long so the kids can play. It's been fun. Reminds me of Miller's "schedule." Instead of Sunday through Saturday, he knows the week by his activities: Church day, family home evening day, cub scout day, piano lesson day, soccer practice day, movie night day, soccer game day, and back to church. When was life was so simple, right? Now you have a schedule for every minute of your day!
Breyer follows Miller and does whatever he is doing. She is his constant side kick. Even when I'm gone for hours, she waves at me when I get back, and continues on her trot to keep up with Miller. Her hair grows longer, as her refusal to wear bows, barrettes, bobby pins and elastics grows as well. We call her "sheep dog," as her world is always viewed through the hair in her face.
Friday was Hunter's first practice and Porter's first practice with Hunter and the whole varsity quiz bowl team. Everyone had buzzers. Porter said Hunter definitely answered the most questions. Hunter said Porter answered the second most questions. All-in-all it was a fun experience, and everyone over here is looking forward to the new quiz bowl season to begin. These two have also decided to be partners in international night for language extra credit. They're doing Monaco. Their food they want help with is easy - kind of a tortilla with cumin and rosemary - that's broiled! This is probably the best part about these events, trying new foods. Brazil was gone, that was their first choice, and the only one they ever agreed on!
Today was Stake Conference. President Lim did an outstanding job. He spoke last and shared how he was driving across the Wyoming wasteland this summer, and the inspiration came to him for the theme of this stake conference: missionary work. He had all return missionaries as speakers the night before and today, including the patriarch and the mission president and his wife. The mission president spoke on how we probably all chose to come down at this time, when the work needs to be accelerated. He had every return missionary in the congregation as well as full time missionaries come to the front and sing, "Called to Serve." There wasn't a dry eye in the room. He says he felt gratitude during the announcement at general conference's about missionaries being able to serve earlier that his stake was heading in the right direction and doing the right things. Tonya Johnson and her choir sang "Go Forth With Faith" as prelude, and "Brightly Beams My Father's Mercy" as the closing song, in which the last phrase of the last verse was sung acapella-solo. Very powerful. Reminds me of your uncle's efforts and his missionary themed stake in Connecticut.
One of the counselors in the stake presidency, President Hunt, served his mission in San Jose, which I learned of last night, December 1987-1989. When I asked him if he served with an Elder Richard Hutchins, he paused to think. When I mentioned that he was a branch president, he said, "Oh, he was one of those "special" Spanish elders." It was pretty funny. He said he went on splits with Spanish speaking elders in the Watson area, but that he was going to go home and look at his pictures. How fun would that be to find my brother in his pictures? It's such a small world in the church!
My least favorite moment in writing you weekly is here, when I have to close the letter and be finished. Hopefully you are enjoying this compilation of weekly thoughts. We are always thinking of you. Every boy prays for you. They love the funny moments, and the Brazilian details. If I can get my act together, I would actually like to take your letters you wrote Cooper and Porter, and see if I can get them published as a New Era article. They were very well written. How would that be to put on your resume? We love you! We miss you! We hope all is well.
Love,
Mom and Dad
1 comment:
Actually, the missionary who lost his letter-writing privileges was my friend's son in the Chile Conception South mission. I've never heard of such a thing!!
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