With All Our Love

_____ New section. Must answer questions that will be posted before the letter. Respond and then type your letter.

What has been the luxury you miss the most that would make living in Brazil easier/better/funner? _____

Dear Tanner,

It was wonderful to see your face "live." I hope you don't mind us just wanting to gawk at your face. We miss it so much. We miss your funny faces, your expressions, your humor. So we were a little star-struck. The brothers were definitely competing for more screen time this call than December's.

Your companion is very sweet. It was nice to meet him in person. I shared my picture I took of you both with his mother.

In last week's letter you mentioned lots of investigators at church. It was a common theme from many of the missionaries, including yourself. Cummings had 8, Petersen had 11.

These are a few more of the thoughts I had this week as I was perusing letters from Brazil: From Elder Cummings: "We have an elder who is in need of a heart transplant, so pray that they can find a heart that will match with his body, please!!" Elder Chambers: "This last past week I spent the night in the Hospital because of another missionary who found out he has heart problems. We all fasted for him and his Family. He is here at the Heart Hospital. He only has 3 more weeks until he made 2 full complete years on the mission. Please pray for him." From Sister Bullen: "This week we have had an Elder (Costa) in the mission who has been suffering with some serious issues with his heart. President is often times running to or from the hospital to see how he is doing." We're so thankful you're healthy, and not experiencing health issues like so many elders can.

From Elder Cummings: "I am really considering swimming for BYU when I get back. It is something that I really want to do,and I want to start talking with the coaches now because I know that they have a training programs for missionaries to help them out when they get back!" I told his mother about your interest in the baseball program, and we thought those were good reasons to visit you a lot at school!

From good old Elder Bennett: "The low down on transfers is that Pres. Tavares only said that because a ton of Americans aren't getting their visas and if new elders aren't arriving, then there will be areas that have to be closed down. If there's no growth or areas opening, you're gonna stay in your area. Pres. Monson sent that letter to Pres. Tavares like 9 months ago."

Off of the missionary mom email site, a return missionary wrote, "I grew to love my Brasil with all of my heart. This land has become a holy territory for me and I know that in spite of my weaknesses and the natural man that I am, I did my best. I know in my heart that I was obedient to the mission rules and for that I've been protected." Of course we expect nothing less of you, and that you too will be afforded the protection we as parents who love you, want for you.

I was smiling when I read you refused your swine flu shot. Elder Cummings wrote home about it as well, and said he and his companion got the shot. I'm sure you were the reason your companionship did not. Honestly, I hope you've already had it! Rumors were circulating here back in 2009 that it was in our area...however, I think I too would chose to bypass the shot. Keep up hand cleanliness!

Tuesday was Hunter's National Honor Society induction ceremony. He only participated because he is the incoming president. The candle ceremony was lovely. Mrs. Lovejoy loves him almost as much as you ;-) We found your picture in the newly updated historical directory of the high school...nice to see you again!

Tuesday was also my last night of cub scouts. Yeah! Our fishing excursion was cancelled due to rain, but we still had the cookout, and played new indoor games. Until August!

Wednesday was a court of honor. My job on the scout committee is court of honor ceremonies. I like it as I don't have to go to meetings, trainings, or anything else except a court of honor two or three times a year. This one wasn't so convenient, but we got it done. I made a treasure hunt for the boys to do, asking such questions as, "How many points of the scout law are there? Go to that room number for your next clue!" A box of candy was their prize. The boys came home with a few merit badges, as well as On My Honor awards for Hunter and Porter. Hunter also received one more palm. The treat was slushees. We brought the shaved ice crank, and a few flavorings, and made them to order. 

Thursday was the last morning of seminary! Just a little celebration going on over here behind the scenes! I had been taking favorite breakfast requests all week, and ended with cinnamon rolls and a yogurt parfait breakfast bar. I absolutely loved teaching, more than I thought I would, and loved learning every day. Seminary does force you to get into the scriptures, and that's what I wanted. Having to make time to study the scriptures, otherwise your little siblings are a BIG distraction. This week Breyer nonchalantly pulled up the flowers we planted together. Every time I went out the door I would find a flower that had to be replanted. Annoying! She also sat on the kitchen table, and scraped off all the Tobasco bottle labels sitting in the napkin holder. Random! One morning she flung her cereal wheat squares, perhaps trying to feed Ranger, who will ever know! I always have to check my oven before I turn it on, as often she's been "baking" and will leave her tasty dishes in the oven. This week it was batteries, and magnetic, plastic alphabet letters from the fridge door. Long story short, I'm grateful for Seminary, which somehow makes it possible for me to do what I need and want to do.

Thursday was also Sawyer and Cooper's baseball game. Both of your brothers pitched...not their best game. A week of not playing baseball took its toll...but the weather was perfect! An absolute 10! So just sitting on the bench, keeping track of the game, having the husband and children close and near, made for a wonderful summer memory.

Friday was Sawyer's Mother's Day picnic. This was an important milestone for Sawyer, as I missed his Kindergarten picnic. Actually not missed, but showed up too late. By mistake. And we both cried. So the past two weeks he's thrown around a few reminders. "Do you remember the day of my picnic?" "Have you told my teacher 'siblings' might be coming?" "Have you thought about what you might pack?" "Did you know that ten of the kids are getting baconators from Wendy's to eat at the picnic?" I wrote myself a million and one notes, and set at least that many alarms to ensure I wouldn't let him down a second time. Even though it's been three years, it feels like it was yesterday. Miller picked McDonalds as well, so we threw some fast food into a picnic basket, and had a delightful lunch with Sawyer. He didn't leave my side, as so many of the boys chose to do to play tag or football. Instead, he was conversational, eating the apple pie first, and sharing his leftover angus burger with me.

Friday afternoon Dad took Sawyer and Cooper on a boy scout campout. They had a three hour drive into the mountains of West Virginia, to go fishing. You'll see the pictures of their fish soon. Sawyer had the biggest catch, and had to wait the longest amount of time to catch a fish. Jarrod caught the smallest fish, and Cooper the most. Bishop Mazon said seeing Sawyer's pure joy when he finally caught his first fish made the trip so worthwhile. Even with their root beer and cranberry juice were stolen, Dad's car shot with green paint balls, and Sawyer's multi-tool lost, the happiness at being able to go fishing with Dad, and have a few catches, was enough to sustain the few set backs.

While the boys were fishing we visited Sis. Parrish. She's such a sweetie! She gave Breyer a pink rabbit which she quickly named Thumper-not-dead, and Miller a basketball. And, she fed us pizza. It's always a good time over there! I just wish the little siblings wouldn't get so excited! They roll all over the BIG chair, and play with all the pillows. Just a little too rambunctious for me!

Last night Larry and Sandy surprised us and came over with a mother's day ice cream cake. Larry's idea, actually, but he let Sandy in on the surprise. Nothing like a cold, sweet dessert to feel so loved! He came over right when the boys were coming home from the camping trip, and got to see the pictures of all the fish. Nothing like showing off a few fish to someone who knows about fish.

Hunter spoke in church today. He was told to speak about his mother. I told him not to mention me, just speak on mothers in general. So near the end of his talk he informed everyone that he was told to not talk about me, but if he was to talk about me, then this would be the things he would say. Very funny, indeed. He had more than a few chuckles. He did a beautiful job. My favorite scripture he used was from a seminary lesson in Revelations 12:17, "And the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." In a very literal translation, Satan makes war against motherhood. Mothers are who teach their children about the commandments of God, and help them develop their testimony in the Savior. Satan is angry with righteous women, and knows that he is much more successful if the definition of motherhood is not a sacred one, as the world defines "mother."

Well my son, this letter might be a tad short. But it is a letter. I would never want to leave you hanging on a Monday. We're grateful you choose to write us letters, which are descriptive and engaging. Keep up the HARD work I know you were trying to talk with your brothers about. You are our light and joy.

Mom and Dad