With All My Love

 Dear Elder Schenewark,                                                                                        Saturday, 27 February 2021

Several times this week I have started to write a letter, and am always whisked away with work drama. Although the arctic air has moved on, the bad guys are still hanging out. And the end of the week brought on and off heavy rains and some hail.

I know I mentioned our stake conference was cancelled last week and instead we had a stake devotional. What I didn't mention was the Stake Presidency's new theme for 2021: LISTEN. Do you remember how they love acronyms? L is for Love, I is for Invite, S is for Share, T is for Thanksgiving, E is for Embrace, N is for Nourish. In terms of missionary work, we are to love others enough to share the gospel, extend invitations, share our talents, ourselves, and what extras we have been given. We are to remember to be thankful, to embrace and engage in our lives joyfully, nourish our own happiness, peace, obedience.

I came home from work Wednesday evening to find Breyer already in bed. She hadn't eaten dinner, and was a whiney mess. After an hour of co existing, I put her to bed. She came out a few minutes later and asked if I would sleep with her. Not a problem. Just brought my alarm clock with me. She went to school as normal Thursday, and even went to a double gymnastic class. When she came home she was normal, except asked me to check her sore throat.

Early Friday morning she was up with me at 4:00 a.m., still with a sore throat, saying she had some trouble breathing, and a fever of 100.8. I thought maybe this would end up being a case of croup, with our -2 to 82 degrees in one week. Dad stayed home with her on Friday, which is where he always hangs out anyway. Friday night her fever was 101.5 so I brought her to urgent care. Negative test results were received for covid, strep and the flu. So I guess another virus. This morning she was up at 4 again eating popsicles and watching me get ready for work. Probably because she spent the entire day in bed yesterday.

Monday and Tuesday, because of the weather last week, had me making and keeping seven appointments previously postponed. The electrician came and fixed the kitchen light, snipping the ballast wires and reconnecting to allow LED lights instead. He switched the chandelier light near the piano with the light over the kitchen table. Love that change. He repaired two outside lights that had been struck by a basketball, and an outlet by the kitchen table that was squishy when you plugged a plug in.

Breyer and I had hair appointments. This was instead of her nail salon party for her birthday that was cancelled. She was going to go big but instead opted for adding layers to her hair. We took Wagner to the vet for his yearly physical. The ortho for Miller and eye appointment for Sawyer are next week, as well as  heating/AC. Maybe even some rug cleaning.

Come Follow Me was moved to Tuesday to accommodate Miller's last basketball game. Dad's put up some fun clips that showcased a bit of the struggle to win their last game. He's moving onto track, excited to try the jumping events - long, triple, high; and a few running races.

Sawyer has transitioned into baseball, and had his first tournament at home, Thursday and Saturday. They won their double header Thursday. For not having the six months of practice the other boys have had, because of basketball, he did well. He played second. Had no hit to speak of, but fulfilled the coach request of a sacrifice bunt, actually almost making it to base; and when walked, stole two bases and scored at home. He also had four pop up outs on base. It's hard to review a game you never saw, and heard about from someone who also wasn't there but had talked to Sawyer.

I forgot to hit the enter button. I always hang on to your letter in case there is more     Monday, 1 March 2021

I can add, and then I forget to hit the enter button. Of course, Breyer was able to share her wonderful news with you: that she won the fourth grade competition for presentation in the Texas History Fair. There are five elementary schools that competed. Her medal is hanging, her $100 check signed by the grandson of Davey Crockett will be cashed, and her tri-fold board might decorate her bedroom for a while. But her joy was shared with all, and felt by those here in the home, and that will always be a wonderful memory. Her topic on telegraphs and telegrams was interesting even for me but the most interesting fact she pointed out to me was that the treetops were used to connect wires. Later, poles were used. And, the fact that Morse offered his invention first to Sam Houston, who didn't even reply to the offer, made me mad! 

Sorry our phone call didn't work out today. But know of our love for you. You sound happy, even if there was a bit of eye rolling going on.  I hope your tennis play happened.

Love,

Mom

All District 5-5A Honors - First Team and Academic

 

With All My Love

 Dear Elder Schenewark,

It's difficult not to type Cooper! I hope you will have a wonderful preparation day today. That was of concern to your whole family this week, as well as the other issues you shared. Chin up!

Yesterday our stake conference was cancelled as the leaders were sensitive to all those in the stake still dealing with issues related to having no power for multiple days, as well as water issues related to broken pipes. One of the counselors, as it was changed to a stake devotional, shared some pictures of his pipes that were broken in the arctic front. There will continue to be a lot of news in Texas regarding the privatized energy company that failed to provide the state adequate service. They say it's because the wind turbines (25%) froze, and the solar options were not viable. So their fossil fuel reserve wasn't enough to overcome those two obstacles. Ercot is now under investigation, and I've already seen an eleven million dollar suite against them as the mother's son froze to death in their mobile home. So so sad. The insurance companies will be overwhelmed as well due to all the claims regarding flood issues. Although, something I never knew until I moved here, and just happened to have a conversation, is that normal house insurance does not include flooding repairs. Natural disasters or broken pipes. Unless you add the optional insurance, you're not covered. And yes, I chose that option, especially living close to one ravine on one side of our house, as well as the low ground on the wall side. Thought it was one of my more prudent decisions.

Due to the arctic temperatures continuing from last week, and snow incoming early Wednesday morning, I drove to Dallas, and spent the night in a hotel. It was a fairly 1 mile commute to the court building where I work. And because I forgot to adjust my alarm, it went off at 4 a.m. instead of 5. So I clocked in early and helped remove all the trash that's collected in Communications as there have been no janitorial services all week. Because the ice is so extreme, and over a million lost their power, resulting in no heat, resulting in frozen pipes, resulting in bursting pipes, there are not too many people on the roads. So compared to last week's snowy day, this week has been quiet. I submitted a memo and a copy of the $400 plus bill to the superiors asking for reimbursement. I stated how there were no arrangements made for employees who are ordered to go to work. Dallas PD gets housed for free in hotels across the city. Parkland Hospital, of JFK fame, and a Dallas County entity, houses their employees in empty hospital rooms. Contractors who work for us were put up in hotels (DSO tow). We have cots we could sleep on, but there was no heat, space heaters are not allowed per their updated fire code, and there was no hot water.

And to finish off this chilly conversation, Hunter's visit unfortunately came to an end. He and Dad made a three hour drive and spent the night in my hotel room, and then Dad made a three hour drive dropping him off at the airport and returning to Granbury. The roads were much better, but only one out of six lanes was clear, and there were still ice spots. Another reason I had to stay in a hotel as I would not have been able to fill up my car with gas, as there were no gas deliveries being made.

I hope you have heard about the landing on Mars. What I did not know was that the  ex NASA engineer watched her project land on Mars while serving a LDS mission with her husband. How wonderful to have been involved in what truly is an historic moment in space history. I think Dad told you a Granbury High School graduate is one of the candidates to be chosen for the space ranger cadre.

I've had several instances this week during somewhat stressful work situations, where multiple deputies came on the radio all at once. If I can recognize a radio call number, usual policy is to advise, "multiple units," and call on one of them to go first. Sometimes there is no recognizable radio number. But more often than not, I recognize their voice. I am not in the same building with those I dispatch for. I've not met ninety percent of them, and would not know recognize them if we came face to face. But having their voice in my head usually in non stressful circumstances, I have come to know their voice, and am able to ascertain who is calling for help. Such a powerful moment for me to realize again that the Savior too has the ability to know who we are, and what we need, and knows us by name. Use your voice with the Savior, and become familiar with him, especially during non stressful moments.

One such moment involved the North Texas Auto Theft Task force, a group of six deputies who spend their entire day using satellite equipment to locate GPS signals on vehicles automakers have turned on the tracking signal. One day this week Penske called and advised their trailer had been stolen, a report had been filed with Dallas PD, and the tracker had been turned on, with the location being in our jurisdiction. I sent one auto theft deputy to the location and upon seeing multiple trailers behind a fenced residential property, called for back up. While he was waiting for cover, he saw two males striping the trailer. He asked for the nearest city police unit to also be sent, code, and proceeded to chase down the culprits. He was able to detain one, and the second fled. So K9 were used to track his trail.

One other thought I've had this week, is that love is a show, not a tell. Our actions speak much more loudly than the words ever will. Us reaching out to those we minister says more than us thinking of them when we pass them in the hall. Perhaps this week you can find things to do instead of things to say: to your companion, to those you're teaching, and to those who don't know who you represent.

Much love,

Mom

Schenewark Sweeties

 

Breyer Turns Ten!

 

The Bakers' Bomb!

 

Letter

 Hola todos,

This week we biked all the way to the top of the hills and there were some pretty good sights. Up in the hills is easily my favorite place in the city. You can't hear the traffic, or trains,... or gun shots. 

This week we were knocking a door and there were 6 gun shots somewhere very close by. The person we were at the door with called the police and elder beus and I have never pedaled harder. 

Gary and Bud have also really started to grow. They have their second leaves coming in. And if anyone offers you tamales, and they're wrapped in a green leaf instead of a corn husk, there are probably bones in it. I like to think of it as natural selection for the uncultured, but I still prefer my tamales boneless.

Eso es todo from me this week,

-Elder Shot-at-at-work

With All My Love

 Dear Elder Schenewark,                                                                        Saturday, 13 February 2021

Hello! What a week! Texas is in the midst of an arctic front that has turned my balmy backyard into a frozen wasteland. Beginning Thursday, and probably ending late next Friday. The high temperatures are high 20's, and the lows near zero. Saturday night, tonight, the snow is supposed to begin. 

                                                                                                                    Sunday, 14 February 2021

Happy Valentine's Day! I love you! You know this. I know I've also told you you're the only one I sobbed, when came the time to send you to kindergarten. Not because you are more loved than your siblings, but that your little spirit radiated so much love my day was bleak without you. You were and are continue to be such a great big brother to Sawyer. He was happiest hanging out with his toys while you created, and still loves to work with you.

Crazy call of the week? Actually began last week when a man called asking for help with a former acquaintance that has begun harassing him. She, acting as his Mrs., sent a pest control company to treat his property. On his bill. She sent a tow truck to his place of work, that towed away his truck. Again, on his dime. She sent a locksmith out to his residence to change his locks. She sent pizza out to the employees he works with. Under the pretense of a medical facility, called his place of employment, advising them he tested positive with Covid. She also sent a group of men to assault him. Choose your friends wisely.

Sneaky call of the week goes to male being released from jail, caught with controlled substance inside his face mask. Needless to say he wasn't released.

Dad has spent a lot of time researching foam mattresses. We liked the one in the Airbnb except he found out it was made in China. We bought a king Casper, and t arrived this week. I tried to buy a king mattress cover, which arrived today, but it was made in China. Printed all over a cheap box. I did not even open it and have sent it back to Amazon, and ordered one with LL Bean or Lands' End. We will be replacing two of the twin mattresses on the bunk beds as well.

Thursday at work, was rough. The drive in was extremely slippery. I almost went off the road or into another car three times. On a normal day I handle anywhere from ten to forty accidents, rainy days close to seventy. We worked 187 because of the icy roads. Fort Worth had a 133 car pile up, including five fatalities. So it could have been worked, but it was a rough day nevertheless. I came home much easier, and returned Friday feeling like a limp noodle. We had more weather related events Saturday but next Wednesday will be tough as well.

Your siblings had Friday and tomorrow scheduled off because of  Valentine's Day, and picked up last Thursday on weather. Now they've been advised they have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday off because of the inclement weather. Virtual education will be attempted Wednesday and Thursday.

Sawyer played his last game of the season. Again, because of the weather, moved from tomorrow to yesterday. They lost, so no district play for them. He's ready to begin some baseball.

And last but definitely not least, Breyer's 10th birthday is this week. I've been trying to sneak around her nosiness and plan a spa day for her and two friends. Weather pending. As are Miller's bottom braces. Those have been moved to March.

But. Then Hunter came into town. For his break from law school. As a surprise. Happy Valentine's Day to me. Best present ever. Evan picked him up from the airport, Hunter fed him lunch, and then they pulled a fast one on me in the parking lot across from the court building where I came out of work Saturday evening. Such a delight to have him back in the home. We've played lots of games, cooked, ate, laughed. I know the arctic weather wasn't what he was expecting. His visions of a little golf crash landed on the ice coating our driveway. But he's hopefully getting the rest and rejuvenation he needed.

It was good to talk to you today and hear your voice. It was especially touching to listen to your trials and tribulations. We love you. We're grateful you're in our life, grateful you're where you are, doing what you're suppose to be doing. Drop your burdens on the Lord. Let him carry those for you - and rest.

Love,

Mom

Winter Weather Adventures

Dodger Dog

 

Letter

 Quick p-day letter,

- We had three baptisms this week. My favorite family I've taught so far. And a mean chef

- According to the transfer sheet, I'm an STL (sister training leader)

- California finally had a good sunset