With All Our Love

Dearest Tanner,

_____ Of course the most important information _____ you can depart today is your Skype _____ information: When will you be contacting us? _____ You probably can't tell I'm just a little bit excited for next Sunday ;-)

We got some interesting news from Uncle Aaron. Sooner or probably later you'll receive this version of his weekly letter, but we thought we would share a portion so we could be on the same page, literally and figuratively: "Got another personalized letter from the Brazilian boy wonder this past week. He told me what I already knew: I’m still the overall letter leader. But then he went on to tell me something that he claimed was breaking Brazilian news, and that I was the first recipient of his announcement. After apparently much thought and prayer, he said that he’s determined to pursue a career in the legal field like his Uncle, yours truly. That makes two nephews now considering jobs as attorneys, and we’re only three nephews deep in the mission calls. That’s what we call in the legal field “a preponderance of the evidence.” Hutchins, Hutchins & Schenewark? Clearly the spirit moves in wondrous ways." 

Well, that was a bit of a surprise for us! Just sayin!' Can't lie, feeling a little left out over here! But, knowing Uncle Aaron and how his ego needs to be fed, you're off the hook ;-)  But. Haven't I written as many letters as him? Just because they're emails, they should count! I could always start mailing my Monday morning emails, so I could be in the overall letter contingency? And what about packages? They should count $49X more? Relax. I'm just needling you more than usual. Miss you!

From your mission president's wife, in response to her birthday wishes: "Thank you sister Amy Jo Schenewark! Love your child, he is a wonderful missionary!"

And hot of the presses from Marshall University, "Dr. Jarrod Schenewark was awarded TENURE and PROMOTED to Associate Professor." Yes, he has a job, if he so chooses, for the remainder of his life, assuming that his department remains wanted and needed. Of this we may indeed say is a result of your serving on your mission. You have not been kept up-to-date on the latest controversy involving Marshall budget confiscations, this week's "vote of no confidence" in the President by the faculty, or the 8% reduction in next year's state budget contributions, but suffice it to say that we thought it highly probable that the budget would be used as an excuse to not tenure your father or anyone else due to their current financial situation.

We've planted a little garden! The boys have been very excited to help. We emptied our neighbor's burn pile of old bunk bed boards, and built two square boxes. Larry had some dirt from his mules, and the bunny left behind black gold, so we filled the boxes and planted our tomato plants from your grandmother, lettuce, spinach and cilantro. Around the deck we planted all the vines - cucumbers, winter squash, cantaloupe and pumpkin; and by the washroom door sunflowers. Not a lot, but important to do, even if it's not our own property.

Tuesday I had no parents step up and volunteer to help at Cub Scouts, so I cancelled and went to Sawyer and Cooper's games. Cooper pitched the entire game, got a nice win, and one inning made all three outs on the three up to bat. Miller had a game on the other field, and Breyer hung out with me in the dugout. Dad and Porter arrived after baseball. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was some good family time.

Wednesday an instructor in Marshall's recreation and conservation program had some students who needed extra credit so we made arrangements for them to come to the church and talk to the boys about conservation, and make plaster of paris animal track prints. The boys came home with 53 molds!

Thursday was the day Dad had designated as the drive-around day, the day he would go to all the businesses for the scout fund raiser, to pick up the donations, as well as purchase all the golf prizes for Friday's tournament. Porter went with him to shop, Sawyer and Cooper went to Miller's game, Hunter was golfing, and Breyer and I went to my Relay for Life meeting. One of THOSE nights. I left my meeting, and arrived at Miller's game just in time to see all the players "take a knee" to the field, as the player near the pitching machine had been hit by the ball. The batter's line drive hit the ground and bounced into the boy's eye. It pushed the eye behind his eye socket bones so he didn't have an eye when you looked at him. Thankfully he's doing well, also had a minor concussion, but was running around at the fields on Saturday.

The last couple of weeks Hunter has struggled as to whether or not he should run for National Honor Society President. I thought it might be prudent to share the leadership responsibility with others in his class, since he plans on running for class president in the fall. He called your grandparents and Grampy wisely told him to make it a matter of prayer. Early Friday morning Hunter went out the door, with the determination to run as President. He told me after school he had won.

Friday was the Optimist Golf Tournament Dad runs with his sport management class. He's thinking of being done after this year, but we'll see. Hunter won for his age division, as did Sawyer, so a trip to districts for Hunter is next. The winner of that gets a free trip to Florida in July to compete in the same golf tournament as other greats such as Mickelson, Lopez, Ochoa, and Woods.

Friday evening was also the annual scout camp / girls camp dinner/auction fundraiser, Cooper's band concert, Miller's baseball game, and Porter's track meet. Sometimes there just aren't enough of us to go around! Since it didn't look like we'd be able to go to the auction, I spent the day making a Hershey chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, a lemon, raspberry, coconut cake, and plates of cinnamon rolls. I was so tired! Baking is hard work! And we didn't get to eat any of it! I chose to go to Miller's game because of Thursday's incident, as he was replacement for the injured player, and playing in that same spot. So Cooper tooted his clarinet all alone, and Porter 'track meeted' all by himself.

Saturday at stake conference Dad and I were listening to our Korean Stake President Lim. To Dad, he was talking about boats and ship. He was impressed with President Lim, and feeling inadequate in not knowing this parable of Christ. Then he began to laugh, and tell me what he had heard. We laughed together. I was listening to the same parable, but had heard goats and sheep. Promise. We were reverent after that. But it was funny! The sister missionaries had called me on Friday and asked if I could feed all seven today, so we fed them after conference.

When we came home from conference, Dad had the idea to use his projector and show an outdoor movie. Larry had his grand children over this weekend, so he invited them, and we ended up watching it on Larry's driveway, with the sheet hung up on Larry's house. We watched Second Hand Lions. We thought it would be appropriate for all ages, and that Larry definitely needed to see it. We think they liked it! We had a great time! Camping chairs, a seat from the van, the wagon, a few blankets and sleeping bags, and lots of popcorn topped off the fun night. We already have a list of more movies to share with them. The best part of the evening was that Jarrod invited them to do something with us, they said yes, and have literally opened the door to so much more ;-)

In our stake conference today, President Uchtdorf presided, and Elders Gay and Hales spoke. Elder Hales had a wonderful thought on tithing. He said if you teach your children the law of tithing, a special protection will be given to them against worldliness and materialism. I loved this! But Elder Gay was my favorite this round. His first thought I liked was him asking us if we are prepared to learn the lessons of Gethsemane. That of doing the Father's will. You're such a great example to us in this regard. He also reminded us that Satan tempted the Savior AFTER he was baptized. I'm sure you as a missionary can testify to to how hard Satan works with your new converts, and the temptations they experience to keep them from continuing in righteousness. Dad had a nice analogy. He compared this to modern warfare, and the new high powered, small caliber rifle with the bullet that goes right through the soldier and wounds them. Two more soldiers are then needed to rescue the wounded soldier, and now three are out of commission. Satan's battle plan can wound more than just the new investigator. Ward resources are drained with investigator/convert casualties.

Well, that's the end of everything on our minds. Except wondering about next week, we're doing great. We hope you've had a better and brighter week. We're grateful that you're able to draw support from your companion during tough times.

Love you much,

Mom and Dad