With All Your Love

Elder Schenewark,

This is it. The last letter you'll receive from me while you're in Brazil. I'm grateful your two years of service are coming to a close. For whatever reason, each time a boy leaves, the time apart seems longer and longer. I'm already being contacted by those whom you've served to express their love for you, and their sadness that you're leaving.

This week centered around the 4th of July celebrations. You know I love parades. Granbury sports a decent one this time of the year, and we attended together. Your father made many people laugh. He had his good friend by his side, Bro. Gammons, and their sweet family. Nora loved it - the people, the colors, the noise, the hand outs. She did well in the hot weather. This year I not only reserved a spot by the court house near the high school, I used camping chairs to reserve parking spaces. So at the 10 o'clock start time they were pulling into their reserved spots. It was perfect. I also thought to bring a cooler of cold drinks, which were much appreciated.

The Counts opened their pool to us for four days, and we made use of them all. He taught me how to disconnect the filter hose and turn the filter off, so we could come and go as we please. The kids have loved the water.

The firework show in the evening was enjoyed sitting on top of the biggest car in the neighborhood.

The boys have been playing baseball with other men in the ward, and loving the game. They'll be playing again this week, and are excited to have you join them. The team is growing in size from Bro. Gammons and Bro. Baker.

Board games, dog walks, CanJam are nightly occurrences after dinner and the kitchen are picked up, and sweet Nora is having sweet dreams.Summer 2019 is a dream. Homes filled with love are a joy, a delight, and a literal heaven on earth.

Elder Cook's "Great Love for Our Father’s Children" talked of the essential role of that kind of love in missionary work. He said, "My dear brothers and sisters, this is a unique and pivotal time in history. We are blessed to live in the last dispensation before the Second Coming of the Savior. Near the commencement of this dispensation, in 1829, the year before the Church was formally organized, a beloved revelation was received, declaring that “a marvelous work” was “about to come forth.” This revelation established that those who desired to serve God qualify for such service through “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.”

You have loved, served, sacrificed all for two years. You are loved. Your efforts are loved. And you're coming home to a family that loves you.

Travel safely. Until later this week -

Love,

Mom