To think about being perhaps the first mother to talk to their son serving a mission, in the entire world, was pretty cool. I reflected on this a moment later during the day after our phone call. I so appreciate your Mission President’s wife helping us to arrange this. Be sure to thank her for me. Be sure to thank the host of the home you were in. Opening their home for you, and us, is so appreciated.
It was delightful to speak with you, to see your face, and here the joy in your voice. I don’t need to do a whole lot of talking, but listening and watching help me until the next phone call. You’ve been gone almost six months. That’s a fourth of your mission that’s over. Thinking in terms of quarters makes it seem not so long.
Speaking of a great blessing, your grandmother - she had a little hospital visit last week. She felt a pressure or a squeezing in her chest and arm, and thought she was having a heart attack. They released her later that evening, thinking it was a case of heartburn, but later changed her diagnosis to angina. It can feel like a heart attack, but often it's a warning sign. The chest pain happens because there isn't enough blood flowing to part of your heart.
Sawyer had his last game before the holiday break Monday evening. He was in more foul trouble, and spent a good portion of the game on the bench. But when he went in he dominated. He was the only one to make all his foul shots – he had four. He had at least two under the baskets, and finished with four fouls.
The Bachs arrived late Wednesday evening. So glad they made it. Up until an hour before they were due to fly out, they weren’t coming because of illness. Your father prayed them here. We spent a good portion of Thursday getting ready for Cooper’s Eagle Scout project on Saturday. Tuesday evening Cooper and I unloaded the large metal frame of the double bench in the garage off the trailer used to transport it from the garage of the youth leader who allowed Cooper to weld there. Your siblings had only a half day of school. We spent the morning in a frantic rush putting presents in the Christmas bags, while Dad ran my errands for me. Cooper arranged for a tour for the Bachs of the plane he’s building at the high school before he came home, and then spent the rest of the day sanding the welding joints, making phone calls for warm bodies to show up on Saturday, and arrange for transportation of the frame to the park. Miller and Sawyer went golfing. It was the nicest day of the week at a balmy 72 degrees.
Friday involved lots of errands and entertaining children. I finished the crib, the library bed for Tanner and AnneMarie, and Hunter’s bed. I also had one bathroom left to clean. We fed the missionaries and a single sister for dinner, and spent the majority of the day preparing food like it was Thanksgiving. I wanted a few leftovers for the crowd we picked up later in the evening. It was a very late night by the time they pulled in at almost 11 p.m. starving. I had made cherry pies, and when Gammons showed up with a whole Cooper brisket, I was happy to pass one along.
Nora is adorable. She’s so much smaller than my children, she’s like a little doll. And she has the sweetest, calmest personality. She expends much of her energy adjusting to internal bodily functions, but does so without a peep. I can’t get over how attentive your younger brothers are to her. I expected Miss Breyer to be all over her, but your brothers are all competing for her attention. It’s very sweet. Unfortunately they’re mostly in masks while they do so. Breyer and Miller have some sort of cold virus, with a low grade fever.
Friday blew in at 40 degrees, so we’ve been thoroughly enjoying the fireplace. Sawyer’s spent a lot of time chopping wood with a little hand axe, and keeps our kindling in good supply. There’s been an ample amount of paper snowflakes cut out, and our windows make the backyard look like a winter wonderland.
Saturday began bright and early with a batch of cinnamon rolls for those who showed up to help Cooper. He had a great group. Only so many people can dig out the hole, and only so many can level the bench. But there was lots of support. The double sided bench was cemented and cribbed with wood until it sets. A tap was used to make screw marks where the holes for the bench boards were needed. They got all the boards on, but have three more holes to fill. The tap broke once, and the battery to the drills died. Cooper spent all night Friday spray painting the metal, so the project is almost done. What a relief! Bro. Bach and Cooper knew exactly what to do, together. How blessed we’ve been to have this dear man in our lives. This project was a little out of my comfort zone, even with the city liaison so willing to help with cement, water, a worker, shovels and wheelbarrows.
Hunter and Tanner were asked if they could assist with the organ Sunday, as all the organists are out of town. Hunter won by default, as he’s had a whole semester of organ class. He even packed his shoes. We’ve enjoyed listening to him practice, as well as Cooper, who still faithfully practices for his weekly Priesthood performance.
That's about the week in a few words. Your Aunt Becky received an award from the State of New Hampshire's child services division, The Exemplary Leadership and Service award. They're so deserving. One nominee said how she sees and feels so much love she leaves crying.
Anyway. Know of our love for you. Could you feel it through the screen? I'm so proud of you. I hope your Christmas box brings you great joy.
Love,
Mom
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