With All My Love

Elder Schenewark,

Another fine week with your letter writing. Your stories have me laughing out loud. Your testimony had me in tears. Of course you glowed. I miss you more than you will know. That's not a bad thing to share, as along with missing you is pride for your sacrifice, your ability to include others, to enjoy life, and serve others. You've a sweet heart.

Elder Rasband's tie was red. It was Elder Renlund's, Priesthood session. It reminded me of our Egyptian costumes. If I was good I'd have a picture to help remind you. But I'm not that good. I did find a sweet picture, though, of you and Breyer. You were always the only boy that wanted a sister.

This week in sports. Cooper had an away tennis match, won both his sets. Sawyer had an away football game. There was no C team, so he didn't get that much playing time, but the playing time he did get was worth it. Tackling and blocking for touchdowns he says he lead his team to victory. Plus the rain was a torrential downpour. Miller had a bye in soccer. So the play of the week comes from Breyer. She had a soccer game. Scored five goals. Usually there are eight girls, and four go in at a time for each quarter. She'll usually play two quarters. Saturday there were only four games total. And one just stood and cried. So really there were three girls, and they had to play all four quarters. By the middle of the fourth quarter, on a sunny approaching hot Texas morning Breyer wasn't feeling great. And she shared with all by vomiting on the field. The game continued on, four against now two, with her coach trying to let the referee know about the clean up needed in the box. Your brothers have all thought this hilarious. Breyer ate a doughnut for breakfast with a big gulp of orange juice. She enjoyed seeing her sprinkles all over the grass. And all is well again with her tummy.

Have you heard about the Las Vegas shooting? It happened last Saturday early Sunday morning and my letter had already been composed. A lone gunman reserved a hotel room on the strip to fire down on a crowd of thousands gathered for an outdoor country music concert in the parking lot of the hotel. 58 died, almost 500 injured, all within ten minutes. What's being termed the  worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history is asking many questions as to motive, and how could he amass such a large cache of weapons, including bump stocks that convert semi rifles to fully automatic. The police were able to target his location because his firing of weapons triggered the room's smoke detector.

I mention this as your lovely sister-in-law is from Vegas, and is connected to many of the concert attendees and injured. Coincidentally or not she struggled with issues related to her pregnancy, and had a rough week. All is well. Keep her and your niece in your prayers. She has six weeks left.

Tanner and AnneMarie celebrate their two year anniversary this week. Unbelievable. Unbelievably good. So glad she's in our family. She's enjoyed wearing the ring you ordered from China. Her wedding band does not fit her finger at this point. Thank you for that. It is really close to her real ring in appearance.

Your grandfather spent a few days in the hospital for an infection this week. He's home and on infusions and doing so much better.

Hunter provides our comic relief this week. He gave us a Skype view of his room. He has a nice Costco stash in the corner, and a bike in the closet. He made pumpkin pie forgetting the sugar. He purchased organ shoes, and uses them for dancing. Or the other way around. He's proud of his flexible sole shoes.

We talked about the Willie handcart company experience today in Sunday School, and the teacher asked, "What did they feel when they were rescued?" The follow up question was, "Have you ever been rescued, and how did you feel?" Of course she was speaking in a figurative sense but my thoughts jumped to when the 200 pound cattle ramp fell on my legs, pinning me to the ground. I don't remember being rescued, but have often thought of how I was protected, and moved at the last moment so it wasn't on my head and neck. But you are rescuing now. A search and recover mission for souls looking for more.

I'll close with some love words from your god parents: "Words can’t express how much we love your little family, each and every one of them.  For several decades you have brought such joy and gladness to our hearts. I can still see little Porter sneaking under the church pews to sit between us and play with all the treasures Sis. B. would put in her bag every week.  Had we known then how much impact Porter and all his siblings would have on our lives, we would have pulled him under the pew to us even sooner. We love ya’all." We do love you. All of us. All of you.

Take care of yourself.

Be careful.

Love,

Mom