Your letter was just wonderful. I was saddened by the cruel incidents. It's never fun. Being strong is tough, but it can still hurt. My favorite part of your letter was by far this: "Elder Webster and I were able to talk with a man who very clearly needed the gospel, and very clearly wanted it. The Holy Ghost was standing there, I can say without a doubt, looking over us and helping us help this man." That's what your mission is all about. Doctrine and Covenants 107:18-19 states, "The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them...and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus." As missionaries you need this power. And that you have experienced it brings me great joy.
Your cousin, back on his Vietmanese speaking Minnesota mission
Cooper came home last Sunday night from Houston, weary, kind of dirty, carrying a trash bag of shoes and clothes that he put in the trash. And he had hours of homework left to do. I went to bed at midnight, and he wasn't done. But I know the efforts he extended on behalf of others will make up for any shortcomings he may have playing catch up.
His weekly tennis match was at an away location, so we missed out seeing his net smashes.
Hunter with Rebecca and Emily
Sawyer had his first home football game Tuesday. There are three teams, A, B and C. He asked to be on the C team as he's never played football before. This was the second game of the season, and he got in four times. He had a 15 yard pass for an 80 yard run for a touch down. Needless to say I was one excited mother in the stands. He had the kick off at the beginning of the game. It was long, just a bit low, which is normal for a middle school kid. He also came in after the touch down, and squib kicked the ball beautifully, and had a tackle on the ball carrier. He was psyched. I'm happy for him. He knows this is the only year he'll even try to play, due to his brain cysts, but by this game's standards, it will be a great year.
Hannah, Greg and Uncle Rich having an adventure!
I was thinking of your first week in the mission. The first time you met your President. The first time you met your companion. The first time you went to your new area, saw your new living quarters, and conditions. It's been a week of firsts for you.
I happened to hear on the radio that Fort Worth stockyard had a first of sort with a bull big enough to be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records, because of his 101 inch rack. First time such a length has been recorded.
I had a first of sort, in a more unpleasant manner. Three fatalities in one shift. Makes coming home all the more sweeter.
For BYU a first ever is that they began selling caffeinated soft drinks this week on campus.
Another first for me were literal ants in the pants. Two times this week I've taken pants out of my closet, lower right side, and had my pants covered in ants. It's been unseasonably warm these last two weeks, and we haven't had rain for over a month. Needless to say, I'll be addressing this itchy issue on my days off. Sawyer helped by spraying the outside of the house.
You were my first and only baby born two weeks early, precipitated by a snowstorm high pressure moving in. You were my first C-section. I could go on. You are unique.
It says in the Doctrine and Covenants 136:4, "And this shall be our covenant - that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord." Your walk is and will be unique. As you journey through your mission in Brazil, walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.
This week the weather was the main story, with Hurricane Maria, and the earthquake in Mexico. All missionaries in Puerto Rico and neighboring islands were evacuated to the United States due to power outages and short supplies of food and water. Stephen Welch, in Mexico, was incommunicado for two days. "As of yet, we haven't heard from him, and pray he is safe." He's fine. The church also is engaged in relief efforts in Sierra Leone after a recent mudslide, in Texas after Hurricane Harvey, and in Montana due to wildfires.
Your siblings are home tomorrow, a teacher work day. We have a busy day planned, but not with the kinds of activities that kids home from school want to do. Ortho appointments, piano lessons, hair cuts, picking up book cases, unloading firewood, food shopping, Eagle scout visits to the home improvement stores. That kind of stuff. Kind of a preparation day for the week. Enjoy your first one in your new area. We look forward to hearing about your new companion, your new area, your traveling adventures, your remaining MTC heroics. Anything from you is wonderful.
Have a wonderful week, and know of our love for you.
Come Home To Me.
Love,
Mom
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