How was your week? Words from Brazil have been scant of late, and we’re hoping for a newsy letter this week! Ours might be called the week of break downs, fizz outs, chug alongs. And I’m pretty sure I’m the instigator in them all. Our A/C unit stopped working a week ago, and we’ve been trying to exist in 95 degrees with fans. I was cleaning out the drain pipes, with bleach, and accidentally let it back flow into the compressor. The bad news is we had to replace the entire system. The good news? We would have had to replace it any way as the environmentally more friendly Freon goes into effect next year, and our unit would not have been able to use it. The unit was ten years old. The ducts were all replaced, the cement pad outside was enlarged to hold the bigger unit, and the unit in the attic no longer sits in a drain pan of water, on rotting 2x4’s. It hangs from the rafters in the ceiling. The bad news? Blew the budget out of the water. Or drain pain. We will be taking out an equity loan. It’s like paying for a small new car!
I was cleaning the front of the microwave, with a damp cloth. Okay, it was a bit more wet, as I was also going to wipe the inside, and shorted out the electronics. I’m still waiting to see if this is temporary or permanent, but I’m thinking the latter. It too is ten years old, and having already experienced frozen keys from time to time, I figured it was on its way out as well.
The van started to lose power on me when I was going to pick up Miller and Breyer, so I pulled over and called a neighbor for a ride. When I went back to the van with Jarrod it started right back up. Cooper too has noticed times when the van loses power. I was driving it again yesterday and there was a loud whine outside. I thought I was driving by a power saw, but when I turned the corner realized it was my engine. It is loud when you idle, but goes away when you step on the gas. Google says screeching noises are almost always associated with slipping engine belts - due to a worn out belt, a bad belt tensioner or a worn or frozen accessory pulley. Lovely.
Then there’s the vacuum. We’ve been pushing it with our abdominal muscles for a couple of years, as the drive engine is out, but if you don’t have the cord wrapped around the handle in the right position, the short in the cord shuts off the vacuum.
I know four paragraphs about broken down bits and pieces isn’t your idea of newsy, but that’s life. I met with an ENT this week for my throat and was told that my left vocal chord is weak. Weakness is caused by nerve damage. I always start and finish with a gravelly voice, sometimes having no sound on airy sounds. I might have been just a bit sad, for a moment, but am so glad to be alive who cares if I am husky sounding?
Cooper won both his matches this week in tennis. He found out his ACT score improved on the second retest, overall going up three points to a 32.He’S also begun the application process to BYU.
Sawyer began practicing with the varsity basketball team in the mornings. He was invited last week by Coach B. He even had high score, most rebounds and most free throws one day. He says everyone has been very nice, and none seem to have difficulty in accepting him as a freshman.
Miller is beginning to catch up on his rained out baseball games, and played three this week. Yesterday he pitched almost both games, had many, many strikes. He also had two triples and one double. His team is awful, truly. I don’t think I’ve seen one so inexperienced at this age. He can’t pitch hard because the catcher won’t catch his pitch. He can’t throw hard to the basemen because they can’t catch his balls. He can’t throw on steals because they’re not paying attention. He was so frustrated.
And Breyer? The best for last ;-) When the boys were off last Monday, Sawyer had two friends over to play basketball. When I got home from work and asked Breyer how her day had been, she said, "Mom, I was with six boys!" That's it. No matter what I asked, that was her standard answer. I guess she might have been a bit overwhelmed.
One day when Dad was picking her and Miller up from school and a teacher, assisting them into the car, commented on how cute her clothes were, Breyer said, "I have a personal shopper." Huh? I still don't purchase clothes for her as we receive so many donations, especially from Sis. Roberts, also called her Fairy Godmother.
Dad’s been busy working on a couple of study abroad programs, one for this summer in France. I’ll let you hear about it from him, but everybody is excited to go with him. He always has such perspective on the history in the area.
He has the funeral tomorrow for the Point girl that passed away last week. I know they expect a large crowd. I was asked to make cookies, and spent the better part of yesterday on my assignment. We all enjoyed watching conference together. We noticed your Uncle’s name was not called, but neither was anyone else, so maybe next Spring.
I'd love to hear your thoughts about conference, any ramifications in your area with the new temple announcement? Your favorite speaker?
Your large birthday package came back again. Would you ask your mission president if we're NOT to send Christmas packages? Your small package with your medicine has not come back yet.
Love,
Mom
Hello Porter,
Did you get to enjoy conference? It was a great break for myself. It was nice to be at home and to learn. I am grateful to be a member of the Church. I am grateful you are out serving, though we all miss you.
After one of the morning sessions we watched on BYU-TV a show called "Two Brothers 2." There was another movie called "Two Brothers." The film maker followed these four brothers for almost twenty years, and they had film from their mission. One brother went to Racife, Brazil. It was interesting and sad, but he reminded me a lot of you. You seem to be yourself and that is what people love about you. You have always had the ability to influence people. A lot of people just love you, in part because you help them to be happy. Remember to keep the mission rules, but be who you are.
I have been asked to get together a study abroad course for school. It looks like I will go to France, before you get home, but I will be here when you get home. I will have to fill you in on the details.
I need to do a funeral this afternoon for a nineteen year old, Rachael Point . That will be two funerals in a week. I expect to have another one before this week is over as Brother Shupe is not expected to make it past a few more days.
I was feeling pretty good after conference, then about 30 minutes after it ended, a member called to get after me for not visiting his wife in the hospital. I will visit her later today.
Please know we love you very much. Be safe.
Dad
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