How fun that I can write to you so you'll get to read this on your birthday, and hopefully be the first to wish you a happy day! I can't believe, in some ways, that you were born twenty years ago...such a cute baby! And now you're in Brazil far away from family. To celebrate, I've been looking through all your photo albums on the shelf. What a good life you've had ;-) Your father took you EVERY WHERE! These recent pictures make me smile:
Have you gotten your birthday packages? _____ If not, they'll probably come in the December 3rd visit by your President. I'm tempted to use the local address your companion uses for letters and packages. As long as you're staying in the area after this transfer, would that be all right? _____ If so, am I correct in thinking the next transfer is in about six weeks? _____ So we could safely use that address for about four weeks? _____
For my birthday, Hunter pulled off a sweet surprise. He called Sis. Kirby the night before and asked her if she would bring donuts to seminary, and then told me I didn't need to get up early to fix breakfast. It was a very thoughtful idea. Not being able to get much information out of him, we ended up agreeing that I could have hot chocolate ready. It never hurts to get a few more minutes of beauty sleep! Happy Birthday to me! To say I loved your birthday letter is an understatement . Truly there is no better present than knowing your child loves the gospel and is obedient to the Lord. Grampy sent me an email wherein he agreed, "It doesn't get any better than that. He is a stripling warrior."
In the news this week, Puerto Rico voted on becoming the 51st state, and for the first time ever there was a majority! Can you imagine where that new star would go on the flag? Our Congress would need to approve this, as well as their leader. The old leader would have been in agreement, but their new leader isn't so pro USA. We'll see what happens. Also happening this week?
Sawyer wanted me to tell you that all four of his "vampire" teeth are wiggly, as well as three of his molars. Seven wiggly teeth! He's going to bankrupt the Tooth Fairy. She might have to go from hard cover first edition books to used paper backs over here! He and Miller got calls from their Buddy League Basketball coaches, and will begin practicing this Friday. Cooper is signed up as well but we have yet to hear from his coach. The weather has been very nice this week, and they've spent a lot of time after school shooting hoops, playing football, soccer and golf, carving, and building stick forts. Last week we had no seminary on Tuesday due to election day, and none today because of Veterans Day. I could get use to only four days of seminary!
Hunter and Porter decided to partner together for International Day, this Tuesday. Of course their first chose of countries was Brazil, but somebody else had that country reserved. Somehow Hunter came up with Monaco, and his souvenir consists of one race car stamp from that country. But, their board is done, and Porter chose a fairly easy food to make - Socca - kind of a fried pita bread with spices. This year Sawyer is in third grade, so he will get to tour International Village.
One of the professors Dad works with spoke with Dad about deer hunting, and said if he went this year, he would only shoot a deer if it was a really big one, as he wanted to preserve and mount one head. On Saturday he shot a deer, and on the Pope & Young point system, with over 125 being considered a "Trophy" deer, his counted in at 142. So he called Dad and said to bring the boys to see him cut the deer up. The boys thought this was very educational, and brought about 25 pounds of venison home. The professor also wants our freezer to store the deer head in until he can have it taxidermied.
Porter is now in the daily routine of adding basketball practice to his schedule. He comes home tired but happy. When the boys had election day off from school I took Porter and Cooper in for their yearly exams, and coughed up almost $300 for their contact lens exams. You know how much I hate that first time fee! Cooper is a whiz! Remember how painfully long it took Hunter? 45 minutes to get a contact out? Cooper from the beginning has been a pro. Porter has struggled in the morning getting them in, but a mere 20 minutes. It's difficult for him with just one eye. I did this so Porter could play basketball without glasses. There's nothing worse than having them get knocked off during a game, and he's on his knees trying to find them while the game goes on. I'm SOOOO glad he finally agreed to try them!
Speaking of election day, the only birthday present I really wanted did not happen. I'm sure you've heard the results. It was a sad day. The Church press release said, "We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States. After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people. We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.
Speaking of the Church, we've heard that so many students are leaving at the end of this semester, they've offered enrollment to those who applied but didn't get in. There are a lot of housing contracts up for sale, mostly girls! One in that situation that you know is Madison Perry. She's announced she'll be leaving to serve a mission. Other news in the church? They've been assisting in storm clean-up. When I was reading about their efforts, I found a statement that put a smile on my face. "Volunteers wearing yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and shirts have been dubbed by some community members they have helped as “the Little Yellow Army of Happiness.” I remember well you helping Dad in your yellow shirt when Olive Hill, KY flooded. And while we're on the topic of service, do you teach your English lessons with Elder Chambers? _____ He's mentioned teaching them in the chapel. This week he taught them, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Very funny! Or are you holding your own class? I think you should also use your service hours to teach piano lessons. Help someone learn how to play, and then encourage them to teach others so the gift can continue. If this is possible, I can mail you a set of books to use? _____
For Facebook I posted the picture of you walking at 4 a.m., and put your quote, "In order to have warm water in the font, actually water at all, we left for the church at 4:00 in the morning. I do not recommend this method of saving souls, but you do what you have to do!"
And moving onto your mission! We read about five other letters from missionaries each week. Monday night, after their letters have been posted, you can find us reading, laughing and crying with other missionary moms. I stay up way too late basking in the missionary spirit that's so abundant that day. I don't want it to end. We love to share our pictures with each other. Your CTM companion's mother was very grateful for the pictures you sent us last week, which had a lot of pictures of her son, as he was unable to send any in his letter that day. Speaking of him, he reported on the mission's nine new baptismal rules. Those sound like they'll make a difference in how missionaries proceed with their baptisms...He also mentioned a crazy storm that blew through his area, knocked over trees, blew off the school roof, and knocked over a wall. Anything that severe in your area? How is that umbrella holding up with the increase in rain? _____ What I found most interesting in his letter was his explanation of the different Bible that Brazilians use. He said, "It is sad to see written in the front of the Bible that it was translated, compiled, and altered by so-and-so. The Word of God does not need to be compiled or altered by man! We have already experienced many difficulties with those who are familiar with this Bible because there are scriptures in it that are nowhere close to the same verse in the King James Version of the Bible. It is sad that other religions have changed the Word of God to try and make their church the correct church of God." Is this as prevalent in your area as well? _____
Your companion mentioned the husband of the lady you baptized last week. That was a great story, by the way. Made me so sad when she realized she was all alone in the gospel. Just like your father. Anyway, in his letter he went into more detail about her husband, saying he had "read the parts in the Book of Mormon we marked, with his wife and then they knelt and prayed together and asked God if these things are true. He said it was just a normal prayer then they went to sleep but while he was sleeping he said that he had a dream that he was standing in an open field and Jesus Christ walked up to him and told him face to face that he should be baptized and this is the right path for him in his life." That the husband, who receives an actual answer to his prayer through a dream wherein Christ spoke with him face to face, and won't swallow his pride, is so sad!
We're wondering how your preparation day contest is coming? You and your companion described your Presidente Prudente zone as one of the worst zones in the mission, with Tupa being one of the worst areas in the mission. I wonder if you'll look back on this area as one of your greatest blessings. Anyway, maybe your mission "Olympics" will have a lot of ties, as we've grown to love the other missionaries serving in different areas. They're all working as hard as you...perhaps your President would consider a standard of performance, so anyone above that standard could also be rewarded?
One Elder, who is serving in Londrina, taught us a new phrase. He said he and his companion have a phrase they say whenever something they're going to do is a bit scary, or makes them nervous. It's "So vai." Just do it. President Kimball's favorite saying that was on his desk. And I know without a doubt that you are "doing" all you can. We love you. We pray for you. We talk of you, we rejoice in you...we're blessed by you. Have a wonderful week!
Love, Mom and Dad
P.S. Dad wants to know what happened in your country on the Day of the Dead? Being November 2nd, you could have written about it last week. Was it no big deal over there? Were most of the celebrations in the cemeteries? Did you have a parade? I saw some of the missionaries in your mission pose in a picture with very fancy masks.
For my birthday, Hunter pulled off a sweet surprise. He called Sis. Kirby the night before and asked her if she would bring donuts to seminary, and then told me I didn't need to get up early to fix breakfast. It was a very thoughtful idea. Not being able to get much information out of him, we ended up agreeing that I could have hot chocolate ready. It never hurts to get a few more minutes of beauty sleep! Happy Birthday to me! To say I loved your birthday letter is an understatement . Truly there is no better present than knowing your child loves the gospel and is obedient to the Lord. Grampy sent me an email wherein he agreed, "It doesn't get any better than that. He is a stripling warrior."
In the news this week, Puerto Rico voted on becoming the 51st state, and for the first time ever there was a majority! Can you imagine where that new star would go on the flag? Our Congress would need to approve this, as well as their leader. The old leader would have been in agreement, but their new leader isn't so pro USA. We'll see what happens. Also happening this week?
Sawyer wanted me to tell you that all four of his "vampire" teeth are wiggly, as well as three of his molars. Seven wiggly teeth! He's going to bankrupt the Tooth Fairy. She might have to go from hard cover first edition books to used paper backs over here! He and Miller got calls from their Buddy League Basketball coaches, and will begin practicing this Friday. Cooper is signed up as well but we have yet to hear from his coach. The weather has been very nice this week, and they've spent a lot of time after school shooting hoops, playing football, soccer and golf, carving, and building stick forts. Last week we had no seminary on Tuesday due to election day, and none today because of Veterans Day. I could get use to only four days of seminary!
Hunter and Porter decided to partner together for International Day, this Tuesday. Of course their first chose of countries was Brazil, but somebody else had that country reserved. Somehow Hunter came up with Monaco, and his souvenir consists of one race car stamp from that country. But, their board is done, and Porter chose a fairly easy food to make - Socca - kind of a fried pita bread with spices. This year Sawyer is in third grade, so he will get to tour International Village.
One of the professors Dad works with spoke with Dad about deer hunting, and said if he went this year, he would only shoot a deer if it was a really big one, as he wanted to preserve and mount one head. On Saturday he shot a deer, and on the Pope & Young point system, with over 125 being considered a "Trophy" deer, his counted in at 142. So he called Dad and said to bring the boys to see him cut the deer up. The boys thought this was very educational, and brought about 25 pounds of venison home. The professor also wants our freezer to store the deer head in until he can have it taxidermied.
Porter is now in the daily routine of adding basketball practice to his schedule. He comes home tired but happy. When the boys had election day off from school I took Porter and Cooper in for their yearly exams, and coughed up almost $300 for their contact lens exams. You know how much I hate that first time fee! Cooper is a whiz! Remember how painfully long it took Hunter? 45 minutes to get a contact out? Cooper from the beginning has been a pro. Porter has struggled in the morning getting them in, but a mere 20 minutes. It's difficult for him with just one eye. I did this so Porter could play basketball without glasses. There's nothing worse than having them get knocked off during a game, and he's on his knees trying to find them while the game goes on. I'm SOOOO glad he finally agreed to try them!
Speaking of election day, the only birthday present I really wanted did not happen. I'm sure you've heard the results. It was a sad day. The Church press release said, "We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States. After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people. We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.
Speaking of the Church, we've heard that so many students are leaving at the end of this semester, they've offered enrollment to those who applied but didn't get in. There are a lot of housing contracts up for sale, mostly girls! One in that situation that you know is Madison Perry. She's announced she'll be leaving to serve a mission. Other news in the church? They've been assisting in storm clean-up. When I was reading about their efforts, I found a statement that put a smile on my face. "Volunteers wearing yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and shirts have been dubbed by some community members they have helped as “the Little Yellow Army of Happiness.” I remember well you helping Dad in your yellow shirt when Olive Hill, KY flooded. And while we're on the topic of service, do you teach your English lessons with Elder Chambers? _____ He's mentioned teaching them in the chapel. This week he taught them, "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Very funny! Or are you holding your own class? I think you should also use your service hours to teach piano lessons. Help someone learn how to play, and then encourage them to teach others so the gift can continue. If this is possible, I can mail you a set of books to use? _____
For Facebook I posted the picture of you walking at 4 a.m., and put your quote, "In order to have warm water in the font, actually water at all, we left for the church at 4:00 in the morning. I do not recommend this method of saving souls, but you do what you have to do!"
And moving onto your mission! We read about five other letters from missionaries each week. Monday night, after their letters have been posted, you can find us reading, laughing and crying with other missionary moms. I stay up way too late basking in the missionary spirit that's so abundant that day. I don't want it to end. We love to share our pictures with each other. Your CTM companion's mother was very grateful for the pictures you sent us last week, which had a lot of pictures of her son, as he was unable to send any in his letter that day. Speaking of him, he reported on the mission's nine new baptismal rules. Those sound like they'll make a difference in how missionaries proceed with their baptisms...He also mentioned a crazy storm that blew through his area, knocked over trees, blew off the school roof, and knocked over a wall. Anything that severe in your area? How is that umbrella holding up with the increase in rain? _____ What I found most interesting in his letter was his explanation of the different Bible that Brazilians use. He said, "It is sad to see written in the front of the Bible that it was translated, compiled, and altered by so-and-so. The Word of God does not need to be compiled or altered by man! We have already experienced many difficulties with those who are familiar with this Bible because there are scriptures in it that are nowhere close to the same verse in the King James Version of the Bible. It is sad that other religions have changed the Word of God to try and make their church the correct church of God." Is this as prevalent in your area as well? _____
Your companion mentioned the husband of the lady you baptized last week. That was a great story, by the way. Made me so sad when she realized she was all alone in the gospel. Just like your father. Anyway, in his letter he went into more detail about her husband, saying he had "read the parts in the Book of Mormon we marked, with his wife and then they knelt and prayed together and asked God if these things are true. He said it was just a normal prayer then they went to sleep but while he was sleeping he said that he had a dream that he was standing in an open field and Jesus Christ walked up to him and told him face to face that he should be baptized and this is the right path for him in his life." That the husband, who receives an actual answer to his prayer through a dream wherein Christ spoke with him face to face, and won't swallow his pride, is so sad!
We're wondering how your preparation day contest is coming? You and your companion described your Presidente Prudente zone as one of the worst zones in the mission, with Tupa being one of the worst areas in the mission. I wonder if you'll look back on this area as one of your greatest blessings. Anyway, maybe your mission "Olympics" will have a lot of ties, as we've grown to love the other missionaries serving in different areas. They're all working as hard as you...perhaps your President would consider a standard of performance, so anyone above that standard could also be rewarded?
One Elder, who is serving in Londrina, taught us a new phrase. He said he and his companion have a phrase they say whenever something they're going to do is a bit scary, or makes them nervous. It's "So vai." Just do it. President Kimball's favorite saying that was on his desk. And I know without a doubt that you are "doing" all you can. We love you. We pray for you. We talk of you, we rejoice in you...we're blessed by you. Have a wonderful week!
Love, Mom and Dad
P.S. Dad wants to know what happened in your country on the Day of the Dead? Being November 2nd, you could have written about it last week. Was it no big deal over there? Were most of the celebrations in the cemeteries? Did you have a parade? I saw some of the missionaries in your mission pose in a picture with very fancy masks.
3 comments:
A wonderful letter! Thanks so much for sharing. Love the pictures as well. And, Happy Birthday to Tanner.
I really love reading your letters to Tanner--I'm contemplating adding our letters to Eldon to our family blog.
Hi I'm Heather! Please email me when you get a chance, I have a question about your blog! LifesABanquet1(at)gmail.com
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