With All Our Love

Dear Tanner

News from your friends? In regards to your picture and link to your letter I posted last week on your Facebook page, your favorite quiz bowl advisor posted, "You are doing great work. I am so proud of you.

You also received some pictures of you and your former companion, Beaudoin. They said, "Hi Elder, Aki and Rita. Some PR photos." I told them you were still on your mission, and that you would be in touch.

News from the church includes the removal of missionaries from Venezuela. "Due to the unrest the Church is transferring 152 missionaries who are not Venezuelan citizens to other missions in South America. Venezuelan missionaries are in frequent communication with their mission presidents, and every effort is being made to keep them safe.” Will your mission be receiving any such missionaries?

News at home? Cooper made the county band a few weeks ago, and had his concert this week. He did not mind being the 14th chair out of 15 clarinets ;-) Because of last Monday's snow day (I've lost track!), he spent the next day practicing and had the concert that night. He came home and moaned about how sore his mouth was. "I don't like practicing my instrument for eleven hours!" I was unable to attend his concert as it was my cub scout night. We had Professor Able back to work on our naturalist requirements. Nothing like a poisonous snake and spider discussion to get the boys all wound up! They love that stuff!

Dad had spring break this week, and worked at work, and helped me with spring cleaning at home. We tackled the washroom and kitchen drawers. Porter was tackling driver's education class after school. He did NOT want to learn how to drive, but now that he's in class, he is excited to learn. Dad took him to Ironton to take the permit test, so he's officially able to drive. It will not be easy for Hunter to relinquish the wheel. Even when I pick him up from school, I move to the back of the van. He does enjoy being in control.

We are in the middle of March Madness, the family tournament you tend to dominate when you're in the country! The pool was much smaller than in years past, but the competition has been stiff. Miller held the lead, which tells you about the many unexpected upsets that have filled this years brackets. The biggest? Mercer over Duke (14 vs 3), Dayton over Syracuse (11 vs 3), Harvard over Cincinnati (12 vs 5)...I'm sure this will be one tradition which you'll look forward in participating again. Porter is currently in the lead, and hopes to remain thus. I love listening to all the boys gathered around the t.v. oohing and aahing over basketball game impossibilities.

Baseball season is upon us, and Miller and Sawyer were drafted to teams this week. The yearly tradition of choosing baseball practice uniforms began this week. I give them four choices, as that's enough to get through their practices. Sawyer chose a Dodger uniform for Dad, last year's all star uniform, and Muck Dogs, your old Texas uniform. Miller chose Angels, Hutto all star, Muck Dogs, and last year's uniform. Sawyer and Miller have been playing catch everyday the weather cooperates, and biting at the bit, so to speak, to start practicing. Baseball is both their favorite sport. Cooper and Porter will play when the high school is finished. Porter chose to do track this year, to concentrate on pole vaulting and hurdles and your father is helping to coach. I think I mentioned that last week. But he's faithfully gone to help the jumpers and vaulters, and Porter has enjoyed him helping.

We're still down to one car, so Hunter's golfing trips have been few. This week he finally got to go on Friday, only because Dad and Porter agreed to walk home from track practice, and Larry was able to help get Sawyer to and from baseball practice. I thought that was very generous of them all. Dad said Porter talked the entire trip. That's a good thing for them both.

Saturday was the annual blue and gold banquet. Miller's officially a Tiger and Sawyer a Webelos. Lots of belt loops and activity pins earned by all, chicken, chips and cake eaten by all, and skits and songs enjoyed by all.

This Saturday was also the tri state Mormon prom. Hunter even cleaned the car!

Hunter had one boy and two girls go - both of which did a beautiful job wearing modest outfits. Do I have pictures? No! Both your brothers promised to take some, and neither did, but I'll find some somewhere! I'm on it! Hunter's date thoroughly enjoyed herself, and danced with everybody. As well as Hunter. His tux with tails was a hit, courtesy Jon Bach ;-)

The other boy and his date were more content to watch. They left early, changed their clothes, and went bowling. Porter was funny. He was the third wheel in the car, and the fifth wheel while bowling. Maybe he'll listen and get a date next time! But they all had fun.

Porter had been asked to give a two minute talk on "What makes a young woman beautiful?" for this dance. We all thought this was a ridiculous idea, as who wants to go to a dance and listen to a talk? So to compromise, we told him to make it funny, and keep it short. He did a great job, and wrote, "While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a smile can light up a whole room. Kindness is also important. Esther was called beautiful for her kindness. Service is important as well. Service in the family, school and community. Ruth served Naomi for months with no thought to herself. But the most important thing is that young women are true to themselves. They follow high standards and morals and stay true to what they believe. Service and kindness help add to beauty but true beauty is when they see they are beautiful." Then, when Porter would ask a girl to dance, they would make sure he was aware of their smile!

Speaking of talks, Miller gave his first talk that he could read. We wrote out a very simple talk on reverence, and he was able to stand and read it all. What an achievement! "When we go to church we need to be quiet. Being quiet is important so we can think of Jesus. If we do not remember Jesus then we will not be able to learn. It is hard to be quiet but I feel better if I am."

Dad has thoroughly enjoyed his weekly luncheons with the elders. One such elder was called as the assistant to the president, and called your father to let him know he'd be leaving, and of how much he had enjoyed their weekly luncheons. It was very sweet. Did you call people in your area before you left? Another elder wrote us a note and mailed it to us, expressing how much he enjoyed our family, how grateful he was for our efforts to feed him, and how thankful he was for the support we provided him with our missionary efforts. These missionaries do it right. Your brothers have had some great examples here, including yours, that will shape their efforts in becoming such exemplary missionaries.

Today was one of those days in church where you run every minute. Play prelude, play the opening song, play the sacrament song, sit with children, play the intermediate hymn song, play the closing song, play postlude, clean up pew, play opening exercises in Primary, help Miller with talk, play for singing time, go to Sunday School, hand out papers for lesson, take Breyer to the bathroom, teach Relief Society lesson...it was crazy! Never mind getting everyone ready for church, and reminding the boys to bring the sacrament bread...

President Uchtdorf's talk in general conference spoke of this. He said, "We have Church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach - offering our time freely! We watch ten hours of general conference, go to church every Sunday for three hours, do family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintain Church buildings, and adhere to the Lord’s law of health, pay a monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.” Why would anyone want to join such a church? Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives. When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much. Believing in God is commendable, but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons. They want to put their faith into practice. They want to roll up their sleeves and become engaged in this great cause. And that is what happens when they join with us—they have many opportunities to transform their talents, compassion, and time into good works. Because we have no paid local clergy in our worldwide congregations, our members perform the work of ministry themselves." I feel so much better ;-)

We love you dearly. We know you work hard. We also know you are well aware of the blessings you receive because of your service and sacrifice. We certainly know of the blessings you bring to our lives. Have a most excellent week!

Love,

Mom and Dad