With All Your Love

Good morning Elder Schenewark,

I admit I felt some relief upon hearing of your transfer last week. The area you had been serving in seemed very difficult. I’m glad some of the burdens associated with that particular area have been removed.

It’s always interesting reading when I learn of my boys opening new areas. Elder Holland has the key to you and your companion’s success, spoken of in his talk this April, “Be With and Strengthen Them.”

“The Savior, at the conclusion of His earthly ministry, as He prepared to leave His still-innocent and somewhat-confused little band of followers, did not list a dozen administrative steps they had to take or hand them a fistful of reports to be filled out in triplicate. No, He summarized their task in one fundamental commandment: “Love one another; as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” As we lift our spiritual eyes toward living the law of love more universally, we pay tribute to the generations who have served that way for years. We have a heaven-sent opportunity to demonstrate “pure religion … undefiled before God,” [as we] grasp the Lord’s commandment to “be with and strengthen.”

The highlights of the week? We had a Family Home Evening discussion on all the dangers lurking in school hallways and students’ pockets. It was good to reminder to them to be on guard, ever watchful.

Thursday I had my first day home alone. It was wonderful. Got SO much done! but there’s always so much more to do. Yesterday Sawyer and I dragged the new hose we got, to put out fires, up the attic stairs in the garage. It was too long for me to try to siphon, but Sawyer hooked up the shop vacuum, and we pulled the water out of the drainage pan. It was all the way full. I unclogged the PVC pipe with some bleach, and our air conditioning unit is running a bit easier.  We wrapped up our vehicle saga by getting the Sienna title in the mail, putting in Hunter’s remaining A/C Freon in the beast, and paying for my new tires that had been put on last week.

Breyer missed her gymnastics class because I forgot it moved back an hour earlier, and Miller’s

Miller had baseball try outs on Thursday evening. I had neglected to register him on line, not knowing when it closed, there was no more registration. I thought I could do it at try outs. My mistake, but we were put on a waiting list and he was allowed to try out. He did awesome. His fielding at short stop, where they hit him a few balls, was beautiful. He effortlessly swooped, scooped and threw. He dove on one, got right back up and made his throw. He looked just as great in the outfield. They didn’t have them pitch, and on his turn at bat, the pitches were all in the dirt. We were approached by Feemster, who asked if he wanted to sign on with his friend, so he was reserved. We did this so he wouldn’t have to worry about the waiting list. I think the draft is today, so he’ll hear something shortly.

Sawyer is continuing to work hard at basketball, and finding an acceptable solution with the golf coach to do both sports this fall. He’ll play after school golf two days, at least until tournament begins.

Cooper has his first meet of the year this week. At a parents meeting very nice things were said about him by the boy in the #1 position. He continues to work on the wood seats for the stone benches around the fire pit. Miller helped with the stain, and Sawyer helped with the cutting of the boards. I helped mow the grass around them with the mower.

Hopefully Hunter writes about his adventures. They're funny.

Tanner started BYU Law School this week. He had some posts on Instagram, but they've disappeared. He had a stack of reading this weekend, and Nora is a BIG distraction.

I got stuck on the highway tonight, for two hours, and got home late. Know of my love for you. Keep us updated and informed. We love your news, and your spirit.

Mom