22 March 2022
Dear Elder Schenewark,
It was nice to watch you Monday evening first fishing, and then later filleting. I enjoy how you enjoy the simple things in life. Such as procuring sting ray leather for Sawyer. Breyer loves showing you Smores because you care about her. She knows she can always count on you to make her feel loved and appreciated.
Quickly after church it became apparent that Hood County was having difficulties containing several fires that began around 2 p.m. The Derringtons and Alands had help trailering their animals and moving them off their properties as a precaution. The largest fire was 200 acres, and three hours later was 7,000 acres. The wind was stiff, the ground very dry, and after receiving extreme fire condition alerts all week at work - was not surprised we had some in Granbury.
Mandatory evacuations began for Lipan. The Acton Methodist Church on the loop opened their church for shelter, and then one by the feed store, so I said, "Why not us?" Grady was quickly on board, so we opened our church up. He called the Sheriff's Department and I put it all over social media. That's how you saw the post, I guess. Anyway, we had water brought down to the church by the Sewells, we had Sis. Steinke delivering water to the fire station, and we had both sets of missionaries make arrangements to spend time at the church. I gave them a modified form to act as a shelter record. They had two males stop by. They were both put in a hotel for the night. We shut down the church by 11 p.m., and notified the Sheriff's Office, as the YMCA was open, we'd close for the night unless they needed us to open again.
By Monday afternoon we were under a tornado watch. As the old Texas saying goes: if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute. I was glad, as this meant we'd be receiving torrential downpours Texas is known for. and the fire could be put out permanently. We did, including hail. Down near Hutto a tornado landed and swung a pick up truck around. Tornado Rips Through Texas, Video Captures Car Flipped Over By High Wind. The Texan driver has now been provided with a new truck by a
But in Jacksboro the roof of the high school gym was torn off. https://weather.com/storms/severe/video/schools-homes-and-business-destroyed-by-a-reported-tornado-in-jacksboro-texas
I was scheduled to go down there with our stake Saturday but even after Dad buying me work gloves - forgot about my shoulder. I woke up in a bit of pain and knew I shouldn't go. Yet.
We were fortunate to just have rain and pea sized hail.
Sawyer has been working continuously on his scholarship forms.
Miller had a track meet Tuesday at GMS.
100 Meter 8th Grade - Finals - 3rd. Miller Schenewark 11.7
4x100 Relay 8th Grade - Finals - 6th Miller Schenewark 49.5
4x200 Relay 8th Grade - Finals - 4th Miller Schenewark 1:49.2
High Jump 8th Grade - Finals - 1st Miller Schenewark 5' 6
31 March 2022
Obviously that little note never got sent. So sorry! Life gets so busy. And in the way. Again, it was great to speak with you Monday. I don't think Dad got the letter off he spoke about. He's been struggling with headaches, exacerbated by computer use, and it's always worse by the end of the day. We're wimpy walkers, meaning if it's a bit chilly a night, we stay home. Thankfully the weather is warming up nicely so night time walks are more enjoyable. Wagner is still full of vigor and vim. Did I tell you when we took him to his annual check up the veterinarian, when asked, still said he was two years old. He said it's hard to judge his age as Breyer does such an amazing job on his teeth. Still white and sparkly, which obviously is going to help his dog breath. Anyway. Full of vigor and vim.
Breyer is working hard on her play lines and songs. She practices daily, is at the point where they all need to be memorized. This version of the play has two songs that are not in the movie, which have made it harder for her to learn.
Sawyer, because of his ag class, was asked to fill in last minute for a UIL competition, on bugs. He views them and has to identify them, related to agriculture pest control. He thoroughly enjoyed the day, after his exams, as he was able to watch others get tested in visual exam in identifying broken chicken bones, invasive plant species, and taste testing and critiquing of chicken tenders. His had a staple.
Sawyer also had his basketball banquet Wednesday. There were five other seniors on varsity. It's always touching watching the boys whose high school career has ended - most of which no longer play for a school. Anyway, he walked away with the MVP, second year in a row, as well as the Take Charge Award. The plaques stay at the school. They also gifted the seniors with $500 for all four years on the team, or $200 for anything less.
Honestly the best part of the program was when Coach Brezealle spoke about Sawyer in regards to the MVP award. He got very teary, and talked about how he had coached for 35 years, and if he had to pick a team from all the players he's coached, Sawyer would be in the top five. And it was because of his actions off the court. Just what a mother loves to hear! There's no greater honor than to have your honor recognized.
Hunter had a wonderful letter he shared with me this week written in regards to a recommendation for the MBA program associated with BYU Law School. Hopefully he gets good news soon.
Miller went to a zone meet Monday (half of district) and jumped 6'0. That jump put him first in the state and first in the nation, and broke Matthew Walter's record of 5'10 at Acton middle school. He ran on Tuesday, and did not qualify in the 100 m, or 4x100m, bu
I've included some articles I wrote for the newspaper this week - in an effort to get our Church out in the community.
Aunt Shirley had a hip replacement this week. Mom went to stay with her for a couple of days but I haven't heard anything yet. Prayers for Aunt Shirley.
I think this will catch you and your brothers up in the activities on Hummingbird Hill. Or Roadrunner Ridge. Haven't decided yet, but both indicate home. We love you. We love the sacrifice you're making. We love your strength to continue.
Mom
March 2022 is the 180th anniversary of the organization of the Relief Society, one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s service organizations. During the anniversary week, the Granbury and Brazos River Wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints worked together to assist in the recent evacuation of Tolar and Lipan residents and animals due to the fires.
“We minister to one another just as they did in the early days,” said President Amy Jo Schenewark, of the Brazos River Ward Relief Society. “We go out and find one another and help discover what their needs are and try to meet those needs.” This past week those needs included helping evacuate animals into trailers, relocating individuals to family members, opening the church as a local shelter, and housing those who need assistance in a hotel.
Last month 500 cases of food were delivered to Mission Granbury.
Our International President, Jean B. Bingham, in an earlier interview this month said, “Today, we have members of the Relief Society throughout the entire world. There are 7½ million sisters today who are relieving suffering, and who are doing the same things for fulfilling the purposes Relief Society was founded on way back in 1842,” she said.
Bingham said, “I wish that every person understood the power of Relief Society. When we work together, we have the potential and the power to really make changes in the world, heart by heart even, when we help each other.”
A missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who contracted malaria while serving in the Republic of the Congo Mission has returned home safely for treatment.
Hunter Dewey, 21, returned home to Granbury, TX on the 20th of February.
Due to Covid 19 travel restrictions Hunter served in the Scottsdale, AZ mission for almost a year, continuing to work on his French and then was allowed to serve in the Congo mission for the remaining year.
In a statement released by his parents, Glenn and Diane Dewey, they shared their gratitude for their son's missionary service and are grateful for the medical staff who continue to watch over and treat him to ensure he remains Malaria free.
Hunter is a 2019 graduate of Granbury High School, playing on the varsity soccer team all four years as well as participating with the Engineering department and the Eagle's Nest program, and will resume his academic studies at Utah Valley University in Aviation Management.
