With All My Love

Good morning, Elder Schenewark,

We missed you last week. Be sure that if we don’t hear from you first thing tomorrow morning we’ll be calling out the calvary. Hunter reassured us you’d be contacted daily so not to worry. Our guesses range from you being transferred to a new policy from your new mission president.

Hunter spent a good portion of his week getting the Ford E350 van in working order. He got confirmation that the old battery was done, and purchased a new one. He made several trips to the auto parts store to determine whether or not a fuse was out, as the turn signals and lights aren’t working. Besides replacing the tires, the reason the van slid in the first place, it needs to be registered. He’ll be working on it again Monday as he’s anxious to drive to Utah and find a job.

He also took the kids to the YMCA to swim and play, helped with lunch and dinner – making our day so much better. This summer has been a delight having him in the house, and library, and refrigerator, and shower! The deer, or something, ate his garden while we were in Boston, but we’ll be moving it a bit towards the house to take advantage of the water.

Cooper built the second of three small rock benches around the fire pit. One more to go, and then I’ll buy the rest of the wood for the rock bench seats. I still need to purchase the flat rock that will finish the top of the fire pit as well. Speaking of Cooper, we got his hospital bill for his appendix. $44,000.00 Ouch. Thank goodness for insurance. I think we'll owe about $2,500.00. And Sawyer's finger? $6,700.00. Another ouch. I think we'll pay about $700.00. Another ouch. And speaking of ouch, Dad's insurance next year goes from a monthly premium of $350 to $1,200.00. This seems to be a national trend, so I'm not that surprised

Hunter took everybody up to Tyler to see family one more time. They were there in time for dinner on Thursday, and pulled up to the service project, a little late, Saturday morning. Our ward was in charge of helping the grounds worker put dirt in two massive cement flower boxes, which involved digging up 17 large rose bushes, and replanting them after the dirt level was higher. Then the beds were mulched, and watered. It’s always wonderful to rub shoulders together this way, but having Bro. Johnson there, who’s not even a member, was sweet. When I thought he needed a break, I’d have him share a recipe, and he’d pause to explain dinner options. I’ll take him on my handcart company any day.

We stopped at Trader Joe's on the way back, while Hunter and Sawyer stopped by Josey Records. Hunter found seven records while I found eight bags full! We enjoyed some time in the Y pool, and then the boys went to a stake dance, and Hunter worked on a weed whipping job in Bentwater.  Dad visited the marina that is newly reopened to visit with sellers of boats, and then he went to the church. The rest of us got ready for Sunday.

While the kids were in Tyler, Dad and I were finally able to use gift cards from Christmas to The Cheesecake Factory, in Fort Worth. We meandered through and around Sundance Square finding a yummy chocolate store. Of course we had to sample their wares, and bought half a pound of samples. Our dinner was delicious, my steak and potatoes hitting the spot, and we took our cheesecake to go.

I was walking outside, something I try to do everyday as I sit for so long at work, and love looking at the stars. I was reminded of President Hinckley's talk on the north star, how it's so consistent and steadfast I picture you down on the other side of the continent, so far away from home, living the gospel in exact obedience, also so steadfast and consistent My love for you grows on a daily basis.

Love,

Mom

P.S. I transferred $50 to your Chase account. I don’t want you having to scrape by on finding food