With All Our Love

Dear Tanner,

Last week I posted on your Facebook account the picture of you hanging in the air at the CTM, and this quote: "The mission appears to be like a fine cheddar, only increasing in its perceived value and goodness as time goes on. And time does go on."  I put the picture of Tupa's entrance as your cover photo.

We received Breyer's and Mom's letters this week. Love, love, love the pictures! Thank you for calling me beautiful ;-)  We also scanned your pictures you sent and forwarded a lot of them to the missionaries' mothers, oh the joy on Facebook. I know exactly how they feel! 

Your letter: Last week you said not to send any packages to the mission home as you would never get them. That was a bit confusing to say the least, especially since you didn't elaborate or provide further instruction. So I took the liberty of emailing Sis. Tavares for clarification, and this is what she said: "Hello sister Amy,you have two options to send the packets. The first is for the office of mission: (In this case, the package of Christmas needs to arrive in the office by the 3RD of December, therefore begin the zone conference and Christmas is when we find them). The other option would be to send the home of a church member who lives in the city where they are serving. In this case, the actual Elders must provide the address. Can I get the address to him if you prefer this option?" I told her I'd be mailing the package to the mission home. Maybe in the future, when you won't be seeing them for a long time, we can use another address. You'll probably end up getting your birthday packages with the Christmas items. Be sure to save some for Christmas!

The missionary mom website had an interesting story this week. Her son went to pick up his package, and on the way home fell asleep on the bus. When he awoke, his package had been stolen. He was so sad, as his poor mother. So be forewarned, and so careful! Your CTM companion mentioned several things in his letter that were interesting. He talked about how he takes two pass-along cards, taped them together, and keeps his Brasil i.d. and a few reals inside. Otherwise, he has no "wallet" he carries. He also mentioned how 1/8 of your mission has already been done. Wow. Never thought of it like that before. (He also has a funny, new tradition of having his picture taken with every companion in Princess Leia hair made from a towel. Very funny.) Another missionary mentioned how hot it is, and how the mosquitoes are out and biting! It sounded like he had a mosquito net, so I'm glad yours is on the way! 

I received a wonderful email this week. This sweet lady said, "Reading Elder Schenewark's letters on Boys in the Good and their Sister in the 'Hood makes me need to see to it that he is told that he is teaching, reaching and affecting the lives of more people than he himself realizes. I was deeply touched by the story of the little old lady that saw the missionaries were glowing, and the story of the man that asked to have his name removed from Church rolls. I have been that man. I have experienced in my own life that Heavenly Father knows all there is to know about why such horrible things occur and He deals with us on an individual basis as the wise and compassionate Father He is. In my case the Holy Spirit never left me. If anything, it began to speak with a much louder, clearer voice. When all is said and done, it is our sincere hope the little old lady and the young Elder Schenewark will both discover to their everlasting amusement that being 75 and 21 years doesn't mean a thing."I of course wrote her back! This is so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. I have yet to meet you but I love you dearly! Your light shines all the way down to southern Ohio. I too love Tanner's letters. I will be sure to share this with him, if you don't mind. For my upcoming birthday he sent me a picture of his little old lady and him on her baptism day. I love her and I will most likely never meet her! The gospel is such a balm for our souls...I'm grateful Tanner is able to go and have these amazing experiences. Thanks for writing!

Her response? "Please do tell Tanner! His letters bring back memories of the first 6 weeks I lived in India in 1978 with my oldest child as a four to six month old baby. I was then all of 25 years old and innocently thought I had seen the harshest realities of poverty, want and desperation by visiting Mexico for a few days as a tourist. What I saw, smelled and experienced actually living, and especially trying to set up a household in India hit me like a ton of bricks. Many vacation in Brazil, but they are completely inside what I call 'The Bubble' and come home none the wiser. Tanner is not inside 'the bubble'. 

This weekend in Ohio is one of the most interesting places on the planet. Every news organization from the BBC to Al-Jazeera is sending live news broadcasts from Ohio this morning (Saturday). The whole world is watching and waiting to see how the election goes. Every time I vote, colleagues and friends want to see what the ballot looks like and advise me on my choice. Four years ago I bet my boss $200 that Obama would not be elected. This year, being older and wiser, all bets are off! Thank you for that blog! 

Thank you for your letter-writing efforts!

This week has gone by in a blur! I do remember Cooper coming home sometime this week, with a sticky note he was to give to Hunter. Hunter has been throwing around the idea of running for school board next year, as he will be 18 years old this summer, and thinks there are no other requirements. It's become quite a popular topic among his peers, as they are all excited to extend their support to him. Apparently this has now circulated among the faculty, and the middle school special ed teacher's note brought home by Cooper said, "Hunter, Heard through the grapevine that you were going to run for school board next year. I'll make you up T-shirts! Do it!!!" There is never a dull moment over here!

Monday was family home evening and I remember that Breyer did indeed twirl and dance again while we sang. I guess this will be the new norm. She's very cute, and loves, loves, loves singing voices. Porter taught the lesson, and challenged us to have a missionary moment like Ammon and his brothers with King Lamoni and his father. Tuesday was to have been the much anticipated trick or treat time but Frankenstorm put a halt to any outside activity. Seminary and school were cancelled in the morning, and we woke to snow on the ground, and watched it fall for most of the day. Grampy's letter that you'll receive in the mail does a nice job recapping some of the storm's devastation. Everybody was sad when they had to go back to school on Wednesday. Poor Miller got Sawyer's strep, so he was down for the count that day, and quickly improved with medicine.

Thursday the boys got to go out and trick or treat, finally! The cold weather put a crimp in their planned costumes, as seen last week, so everybody was scrambling to find something that would keep them warm: 

Cooper wore a trench coat to become a detective

Porter walked with us, just for fun, and dressed like Grampy.

Miller wore three pairs of pajamas under a karate ghee. 

Sawyer wore three repurposed bat costumes to become a Russian czar.

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Breyer mostly rode in the wagon and absorbed all the kids and craziness, and Miller joined her shortly while walking around our loop.

Sawyer's favorite treat was Mr. Gad's 1927 Buffalo nickel. He was in the grocery store business for over 40 years, and counted a lot of change. 

Hunter collected about eight pairs of glasses...the flyers seem to have helped Hunter improve upon your success rate ;-) We finished the evening with Sis. Parrish, and watched Jeopardy with her as Bro. Parrish liked to answer questions as well.

Speaking of quiz bowl prep Aunt Shirley mailed Dad a civil war test and commemorative coin from her latest trip. The test booklet has 100 questions, with a possible 1000+ points score. Usually each question gets ten points, and often will have extra points built into the question. When your father saw that 900+ point range would classify him as a rare expert, he was in. They answer ten questions at dinner, and score them, and put the book away until the next time. After two nights, Dad is at 150, Hunter 60, and Porter 40. The booklet said it was very hard, and it might be more difficult than Dad thinks. But, the boys love it, and Aunt Shirley hit the jack pot

Friday Dad took Cooper and went on a stake Aaronic Priesthood camp-out in Louisa, KY. Bro. Welch, Nathan and Jeremiah also went from our ward, and that was it besides two stake leaders and a grandson. The purpose of the camp out was to discuss the scout program and how the stake can improve, but nobody came. In the entire stake. We feel like we're in Brazil sometimes. But Cooper had fun, did a wonderful job helping Nathan, and your father shared a lot. After hearing stories of rampant mice and other night time creatures inside the cabin, they opted to use the tent they brought and sleep outside. This was also the day Porter had basketball tryouts. These figures are approximate but there were about 17 boys cut from the team, 12 of which were freshmen, 7 of which had played 7th/8th grade ball. Porter was kept!!! He and one other boy who hadn't played in middle school made the squad. Much hooting was given up by me...much to Porter's chagrin but I'm excited for him. He benefits from being busy, as do I, so this will be a beautiful thing this winter. Now if I can just get him to eat like you!

We wrapped the week up Saturday, those of us who were home, registering the three little boys for basketball. This year they changed the rules, and instead of being five and eligible for registration, you also had to be in kindergarten. When Miller said, "But you home school me," that was good enough for me. He's almost six. He rocked the tryout, and I left feeling badly for the other boys he competed with. He's the only one who made baskets, whose ball actually reached the hoop, and who could dribble and run the length of the court and back. Go Super Miller! Porter spent the entire day supporting the cross country teams competing in Columbus at the state track meet.

Today at church Sis. Swick and Sis. McCoy wanted to be remembered to you. Dad was conducting, and when he bore his testimony, he shared your 'glowing in the hallway' story. One of the six missionaries in the ward followed Dad and shared this wonderful story. He said he was the 6th out of six boys in his family, and the youngest (with blonde hair just like Miller). His oldest brother should have been getting ready to go on a mission but instead had very long hair, multiple piercings and made other choices. The young men went on a hike along the Green River. His brother and father were walking along the river when the group noticed a sheep in the river, obviously struggling against the current, the water, and its heavy coat. Comments like, "Oh, that poor sheep!" and "That's too bad" were heard. His older brother decided then to take off his shoes, and ran down to the river to rescue the sheep. When he began his run to the river, others saw what he had in mind and ran to join him. When the sheep was successfully out of the river his father asked him why he chose to rescue the sheep. His response was, "I am that sheep." I heard, "Isn't it a shame," and "That's too bad," but no one jumped in the river to save me. He cut his hair, took out his earrings, prepared to go and served a mission. It was a wonderful meeting. Thank you for kick starting the much needed spirit there this week. In Sunday School we were speaking of missionary work,and Stephen shouted out, "Be an awesome missionary, just like Tanner Schenewark!" It was a good day ;-) I was reading in Luke 10 for seminary, and came upon verse 2, where it states, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Truly this prayer has been answered, as the labourers are coming! We're grateful you were an answer to this prayer, and continue to be to those in Tupa.

Much love,

Mom and Dad

P.S. You didn't have one last week ;-)