Sunday, December 2, 2018

With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark,

How was your week? Did you get to help the areas that were flooded? Are you well? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your father had a six week follow up appointment on Monday, and was pleasantly surprised to find out his doctor would support him in his efforts to not handle diabetes through medicine. He was thrilled. He's down 35 pounds, still walking multiple times a day, or double laps if he can't, and actively involved in adjusting meals to help him keep losing weight. The doctor said he would love for all patients to be as involved in their health as Dad is now. He's committed, and has almost shrunk out of his belt. He's now to the point where everyone has started to notice, and will approach him with questions.


Cooper on a WIT field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo

We spent the yesterday in basketball games. Sawyer's team had a tournament in Weatherford. I drove straight from work Friday via Trader Joe's to his game as the family representative. His first game was at 10:30 a.m. The second game that I saw was at 5:00 p.m. He was 9 out of 10 at the line, and walked away with 20 something points, including a beautiful 3 point shot. Saturday's game was at 2 p.m. for first or second place. They won handily. He contributed 11 points. All three of their games had their score at 70 points. All of the other Granbury teams - varsity, junior varsity - and the 9th grade B team - had losses. His team remains undefeated since the beginning of their seventh grade year. I was commenting to your father that it's wonderful to watch Sawyer in action on the bench. He encourages the players on the floor with cheers, he refills and picks up water bottles, he reminds players to pick their man, he's on his feet when they succeed on the floor, he sincerely comments to members of the opposing team when the game is over, and is the first to thank the referees. He's a joy to watch in motion, and has affected the cohesiveness of the team in the manner Coach B attributed to you. Merging two middle schools together doesn't always work if there's pride involved, and to see them coming together in 9th grade is wonderful.


Sawyer's friend spent some time with us again yesterday before and after his game. We've grown to love him and his mother.

Miller was asked to be on the prime team representing Granbury. His coach for the recreational league will be the same, so his practices are back-to-back, which is very convenient. Their first game was in Burleson, which normally isn't that far. But your father and I had to drive through two cities setting up and getting ready for their annual Christmas parades. We barely made it out before they both began. There were a lot of people on the road yesterday. Miller walked away with a win, 11 points, from 3 threes and 2 at the line. That's all he tried to shoot, and made them all.

I've picked up two more piano lessons - the two Smith girls. Now I'm up to six young women in as many weeks. Crazy! But your grandmother gave me a gift, one I've tried to share. Music blesses so many lives when shared.

I've enjoyed the Church's media campaign for #LightTheWorld. The global initiative for this week was a bit daunting, but I will be following their suggestion to post on social media. The tabernacle choir has a lovely Silent Night video. Their clip announcing their devotional for tonight was sweet. And they've been featured on all the major news stations for their vending machine giving box.

Breyer was invited to a slumber birthday party except without the slumbering part. More like a big pajama party. She has talked non stop all day, came home with a new pillow and a decorated sleep mask. She's still so very sweet, and is very excited for you to come home. She's waiting until you're back to be baptized.


A new version of the iconic Disney movie, Mary Poppins, comes out this week. Movies like this make me think of taking Miss B on a girl’s night out. Elder Renlund, in his “Choose You This Day” talk, quoted from this movie.  Mary answered Bert saying, “I can’t help them if they won’t let me, and there’s no one so hard to teach as the child who knows everything.” Bert asks, “So?” Mary answers, “So they’ve got to do the next bit on their own.”

“Brothers and sisters, like Jane and Michael Banks, we are “good kids” who are worth bothering about. Our Heavenly Father wants to help and bless us, but we do not always let Him. Sometimes, we even act as if we already know everything. And we too need to do “the next bit” on our own. That is why we came to earth from a premortal, heavenly home. Our “bit” involves making choices.”
As your mother, especially in this Christmas season I would say choose Christ. You’re in Brazil because you chose Christ. I let you go because I chose and continue to choose Christ.

Love,

Mom

P.S. I'm off on the 26th. Tanner flies in the 28th. Considerations for your phone call arrangements.

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