National Honor Society Induction and Senior Ceremony

I have been asked to speak on leadership. I've given a great deal of thought about what I might share briefly, and I suppose when I am done you'll be saying I should have thought about it some more!

Everyone of you has been chosen because you have exhibited leadership. You know what it is so I would like to talk more on the difficulties of leadership, which perhaps you haven't yet experienced.

 

First, why is it so important? United States Army General Mark W. Clark said, "All nations seek the electric and elusive quality known as leadership constantly, because it is the key to greatness, sometimes to survival. Where does juvenile delinquency begin? In leaderless families. Where do slums fester? In leaderless cities. Which armies falter? Which political parties fail? Poorly led ones."

 I believe, above all else, leadership takes courage. It takes courage to live with and to follow your conscience. And that courage sets leaders aparts. Loneliness is the price of leadership. The price of adherence to conscience and to principle. In this school, it might not be bad. We had 27 members this past year, and 16 are getting inducted today. One of the great things this society does is prepare you for future leadership roles. And eventually you won't have the people here. You'll feel alone. The price of adherence to conscience, of adherence to principle is loneliness. You need courage.

A religious man by the name of Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "It isn't easy to be virtuous when all about you there are those who scoff at virtue. It isn't easy to be honest when all about you there are those interested only in making a fast buck. It isn't easy to be temperate when all about you there are those who scoff at sobriety. It isn't easy to be industrious when all about you there are those who don't believe in the value of homework. It isn't easy to be a man of integrity when all about you there are those who will forsake principle for expediency."

It doesn't matter if you have a fancy title or not. When you have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, you are a leader and will have peace.

A man once related how at church one Sunday he was sitting on the stand looking at the audience and he noticed four or five young boys who every now and then would all simultaneously uncross their left leg and cross their right. Or later they would all comb their hair with their right hand, or lean on their left wrist. Finally, he figured it out. They were copying him. 

And so it is with us. We have been placed in a position of leadership and responsibility in this school and people will be watching us all the time. They will follow our examples. Have the courage to be leaders.

Pin Up

Cooper borrowed "THE JACKET" for his middle school awards ceremony.

It was just as big a hit as when worn by his brother!

The jacket helps those boys feel confident, classy, stylish, different. dapper...all of the above!

I've said it before but I'll say it again - LOVE the lanyard and pin system for awards used by the Fairland school district!

The kids LOVE pinning on their different pins - so much more cooler than a certificate made from a piece of paper!

(Cooper's best friend got the plaid memo ;-)

Cooper was pinned for participating in cross country, band, quiz bowl; pins also for honor roll, scholar athlete, county wide band, and district band. competitions.

What a guy! 

Letter #94

Dearest Family,

I have found after much study and experience here in the mission field that the greatest motivation, the most lasting, the most moving, that we can have is that of love. I feel filled with love for each of you. For each of my brothers, you father and you mother. I feel an equal love for all my extended family, my faithful friends and those who surround me here. I expect that love will be the theme of my letter today for it is what I have felt so mercifully this last week. Perhaps it is the spirit exemplified in mother´s day for it was also the subject of the president's letter this week: )

Last week we divided a little in the zone and also worked in the office to prepare a yearly report for all the stake presidents and the seventy that will have a two day meeting with president the this weekend. I got to work with Elders Rogers and Delgado on Friday, helping to fill appointments and interviews throughout the zone. The newly arrived Elder Wambach is already speaking Portuguese well. Friday, our investigator couple passed their respective interviews as well as a single lady of about forty years that lives close by the church. Her son was recently baptized in another stake and so she began to investigate the church as well.

Saturday was the highlight. I divided with Elder Christensen after lunch and we visited some families quickly before getting ready for the big marriage that night. The couple was married legally by Bishop Gilberto in front of a large group of the ward and family. The chapel filled up quickly, though the marriage itself started about an hour late as with most things here. He pronounced a blessing, and they traded rings, signed papers, etc. I was actually looking forward more to the baptism afterwards, but the same changes that were necessary to prepare them to be baptized, were essential in repairing and shoring up and strengthening their relationship so that they might be married. Love was restored. Love for God and one another.

They held a small birthday party for their daughter who turned two and then we held the baptismal services. I had the privilege of baptizing the husband, who is like a brother to me now. My companion baptized his wife. Elder Santos baptized the single lady, and Elder Christensen confirmed all three on Sunday. It had been a while since I was the one in the water and it was good to be there. The power of Godliness was manifest, as it always is, in the sacred ordinances of salvation. More than that, His love was manifest and felt.

Sunday, well, I was with you : ) It was wonderful, exciting and I am excited to be back in the middle again soon. We have lots of work to do, and I wouldn't want to be in any other place than with you.

Monday and some of Tuesday we continued to work on these reports for the president. We also had craziness here in the mission. When we got to the office on Monday morning, early, we expected to find the office empty as it usually is on Monday morning, but instead we found the office already occupied with the president alert and thinking. We didn't delay and went right to work, running down the various items of the day, etc.

What came out of that morning meeting was a mini/big transfer. Five or six zone leaders were transferred and one newly called. Elder Christensen moved onto Marilia and Elder Rosa arrived in his place. Other elders were transferred as well, about twenty more, some due to the arrival on Tuesday of three more American missionaries who had received their visas and had spent the last two weeks in the missionary training center in Sao Paulo. We got them from the airport yesterday, lunched, had a small training meeting and sent them on their way. All three appeared that they will do very well here in the mission and are excited after 6-10 months serving in the US, to work with the Brasilian people. They were all a little hesitant in lunch to try the food and the cashew juice, but after they realized it was good stuff, there wasn't any left over for us!

And so I am here today. This weekend brought me much closer to my Savior. I know that He lives and surely that He love us. He watches over us unfailingly. We fail, and He "suffereth it." We turn away from Him and He suffereth it. We suffer and He suffereth it. But always He is there lauding our progress and rejoicing with us when we reach to Him and feel the arms of His infinite love encircle us and lift us up. I love this gospel. It is true. He is the way, the light and the truth. That all may come unto Him and thus unto the Father,

I love you,

Tanner

p.s. I was very happy to see Aunt Tina officially my aunt: ) Now she HAS to speak Portuguese with me!

With All Our Love

Dear Tanner,

What a lovely chat we had! It was interesting having so many people in the room, an airport worth of airplanes flying regularly overhead, smiling face on our screen, and a lot of Portuguese noise! And we're SO excited to know you're coming home. Your face was priceless when I planted one on your father. I so wish he had taken a picture - wait! He couldn't! His lips were busy. I'm glad you enjoyed my silly antics.

I figured out your president would probably keep you, after you wrote of how young the mission might be. Just a perfect way to end Mother's Day! Speaking of mother's day, it was a good day. Sometimes it isn't my favorite day. Just not at the stage in my life where I can rest from my labors but I do love my job. I made myself laugh today thinking that if I relinquished to Dad's wishes to keep the house air conditioning at frigid, then I could get away with serving soup. What kind of mother plots like that?

You seemed worried whenever some form of money was mentioned.?. I know this is a concern for you. Let it go. Heavenly Father will bless you, and we'll get it all figured out when you get home.

Dad's been reading a book called "Rocket Men" by Craig Nelson. Sometimes he shares parts with me he finds interesting. The best such moment? When Dad was reading why the visor on the space helmet was made out of reflective material. First, it would be used as mild sunglasses from the sun glare. Second, in the unlikely event of an alien encounter, the human face would be protected. What?!? Isn't that bit of trivia SO funny? The other tidbit I read that was REALLY interesting is that the NASA designers neglected to place a handle on the Eagle's outside door, which meant that Armstrong and Aldrin had to make sure to leave it open while they walked on the Moon! "Uh, Houston, we have a problem!" I'll leave you with one more. They had such big to-do-lists, that they needed to do while they were on the moon, that they wrote in teeny tiny words all over the cuffs of their space suit before they left the space ship.

We were at the ballfields bright and early Saturday. It's nice to get them over quickly! Miller's coach wrote another great update: "Eastham Black moves to 10-0 after squeezing by a much improved Red team today, 7-4. We pounded out 17 hits with Miller Schenewark, Evan and Brycen all going 3 for 3. Miller knocked in the go ahead run in the 6th." Miller also had seven outs made to first base, and made a leaping catch at home for the tag. Sawyer laid down two sacrifice bunts, with a man on second and third, both times. The coaches ALWAYS ask him to bunt! He never got to swing away - all three times up to bat he had to bunt. He also got to finish out the game pitching. He does enjoy that, but he's a thing of beauty to watch playing short. Nothing gets by him, and he reacts so quickly I'm always surprised.

I also gave everybody haircuts. I've been wondering whether or not you'll want me to cut yours any more ;-) I'm two years better than I use to be! And it's still free ;-)

Saturday was also when I pulled an epic surprise on Hunter. As he has not ever had a party here and is graduating, I thought it would be fun for him and a few of his friends and Porter to go out to eat and to a movie. He drove me to the store under the pretense of leaving me at the store and picking up Cooper at the middle school, as he was just getting home from a band contest. Instead, I kicked him out of the van, and I picked up his brother. The boys had a great time, even went to Dairy Queen afterwards with leftover change, and dubbed me the coolest high school mom. Hunter had a good time, even if he was wearing his size too large olive green crocs, and an "I indexed 1000 names!" tee shirt ;-)

Today was the senior and induction ceremony for Fairland's National Honor Society. Porter was one of nine sophomores that were eligible for induction. Hunter was awarded his senior stole. He was President of his chapter this year, and spoke on leadership, one of the four tenants (scholarship, service, character). I'll post his speech later, but you would have been proud. He represented well.

Also today your grandparents visited the courtroom and officially had Tina adopted. Uncle Aaron posted, "This morning, with the help of Judge Keamy, one local family added another member to its ranks. Adoption is one of our services here at Hutchins Law, P.C. And this particular one was personal to our firm. Welcome to the family, Tina!" She loves you dearly, and you'll be in her presence soon.

Your sister continues to believe, truly, that she is a princess. Go ahead. Ask her a question. What do you want to be when you grow up? A princess. What is your favorite color? Pink! Some questions she might have for you? Where IS my castle? When will my boys be princes? Where is Daddy's crown? Her other thoughts? I don't want my mom to be a mean queen! And in her dreams, some good, some scary: There was a mean queen, and she was laughing at me! I don't like rats in my castle, only cats! And so forth. You'll have so much fun. When you listen to classical music, she calls it princess music (and yes, you can take credit for her love of that!). So we listen to and tell a lot of fairy tales over here.

 I was thinking today that we, as children of God, and of a royal birthright, fit right into her story. Earning your high school diploma, or graduating from college, would allow you the right to carry a scroll as a symbol of your quest for learning, as is reading the scriptures and learning in the temple. Having the kind of mission experience you did, and being the kind of leader you are, would give you the right to carry the scepter as a symbol of your character. Receiving the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods put keys in your pocket, just like learning how to drive, symbolizing the tools you need on your journey. Finding a wife, and having children will allow you the crown. Happily ever after.

While reading for seminary in Moroni, I found the perfect scripture for you. "My beloved son, I rejoice exceedingly that Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work...I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying...And now, my beloved son, labor diligently; for [you] have a labor to perform." Elder Eyring said, "Spiritual staying power comes from working past the point when others would have taken a rest...If you do all that you can God will magnify your strength and your wisdom." We know you'll finish strong, you'll continue to work hard, and serve Him with all your might, mind and strength. For which we're indeed grateful.

Full of love for you,

Mom and Dad

Mother's Day Picnic

Seven classes of kindergartners, their mothers, their picnic baskets - all spread out for the annual mother's day picnic!

Rules?

1. Pack their "special" lunch.

2. Sneak the sibling in.

3. No itchy blankets!

4. Get there early and grab the shade under the tree.

5. Drink something sparkly.

6. When being home sounds more fun - leave!

Gifts for a Mother's Heart!

Sawyer making all by himself (except for upstairs intercomming me) delicious thumbprint jam cookies - the "mother" of cookies ;-)

A heart-filled breakfast from MY HUSBAND!

A vision of pink loveliness from Breyer and mo mother!

The BEST love note EVER from Miller!

("At nite time she tucks me in to bed. She helps me with the toothpaste. Then I can brush my teeth. At day time she helps me make breakfast and ties my shoes. Some times she drives me to school. After school she gets something for me to eat that I like. And that's my story of loving my mom.")

Second annual tradition of a Dairy Queen ice cream cake with my favorite neighborly mother!

45 minutes with THIS face!

Boys Are Big Experts by Jack Prelutsky

Boys are big experts
at looking for trouble.
They climb over fences,
they tunnel through rubble.
Boys like to take their time
when called to the table;
boys love to eat - like
they live in a stable.

Boys tend to throw things
and get into tussles,
make nasty noises
and show off their muscles -
lots of stuff leading
to bruises and bleeding.
Why don't they stop for
a bit and start reading?

Princess Protection Detail

Princess Profiles:

Letter #93

Oh Dear Family!!

How the time has flown! So much has happened, and so, as to not forget anything and in the spirit of my uncles' bullet style letters, I'l give you the down low on the what's up! (New group of missionaries coming in!)

 Thursday we left on another road adventure this time to Maringá where they had only baptized one person in the last month. We went to give some help and excitement in preparation for the end of week stake conference. We arrived before lunch. Thursday was a national holiday, the famed first of May. That means everything was closed except for the lucky bar buffet, greasy finger and elbow joint where we lunched. I spent Thursday and Friday with Elder Lima. He's fantastic and a new zone leader here in our ranks. I did splits with him back when I was in Bauru. We helped firm two people to be baptized, and found two more to go to church Sunday.

Friday we set off again after lunch (which was in a classy Italian place FOR THE SAME PRICE!  It was such a pleasure to help Elder Lima assume his responsibility as a leader and help him to know how he could help his zone, which needs him so very desperately.

 

Saturday we threw an open house in the center of the city and had 39 people enter the chapel and get to know more about the gospel. Each left with gifts of the Book of Mormon and dvds, Ensigns, etc. The chapel is on the other side of the road of a hospital and so many of the people that were invited were (a) dying (b) visiting someone dying or (c) doctors. that ended up being a very good crowd to work with. I was impressed by the overall humility of those who entered (humility of spirit) as opposed to the pride or arrogance or outright meanness of some of those who declined the 5 minute tour. One doctor that I brought inside was impressed when from across the street we invited him (loudly) to come and see. He was very cordial and you could see in his eyes, he was interested, hungry (Amos 8:12), looking for something. He accepted wholeheartedly a Book of Mormon and said he felt that God had placed him there that day. He's marked to go to church this Sunday.

We also talked with the leaders of the Morangueira zone since we wouldn't have the opportunity to divide with them. It was good to see Elder Cummings and Barabosa.

Saturday we welcomed President and Sister Genaro, with their son Vincenzo and his friend André. While waiting we contacted more people in the street. In five minutes in we found a completely less active member from Curitiba that was in town for the week. We invited him to participate in conference and do you know? He did! He also graciously offered his help to bring investigators to participate as well and brought three carloads that night. The Lord works in mysterious ways but I have no doubt that he sent an angel to us that night.

We participated in the priesthood leadership and Saturday night missionary sessions. In the priesthood session President gave a powerful talk on the Book of Mormon and we helped distribute one Book of Mormon to every priesthood holder in attendance. He shared this story from Elder Alves that had happened the day before:

Elder Alves was teaching a man who was progressing well to baptism. On Sunday, when after a lesson in the chapel he ran into a friend, not of the church, who ridiculed the fact that he was with the missionaries. Later that night he called the elders and told them thanks for everything but he would like to give back the Book of Mormon and they wouldn't need to pass by anymore. Elder Alves knew the Spirit had touched him earlier that day and he said to him, "That is not the answer of someone who read the Book of Mormon. Did you read it?" He admitted no. Then Elder Alves said he would not accept it back until he had read it. The man agreed to read until midnight that night and call them. Elder Alves asked permission to attend the call that night after hours and was given permission to do so. Exactly at midnight, the man called. He said," I know this book is true. It is from God. I will be baptized." And was Sunday night. President told a similar story from the life of Elder Nelson, a similar thing happened. No one, who truly wants to know whether the Book of Mormon is true, can pick it up, read it and come away with any other conclusion. The Spirit testified to those assembled priesthood men that this is true. I know it is true.

I was also invited to bear my testimony Saturday night in the session on missionary work. I did so, simply, I admit nervously because it seems some days the translator to Portuguese works better than others : ) The stake counselor had a good time with my name so I warned them all to practice as there was and is a good chance that another Elder Schenewark will one day be here to preach the gospel in Brasil : )

Saturday night we had a baptism party, where couple I had taught during the week were baptized. The man soon after put a post on Facebook expressing his happiness at this newness of life. That was a first! Then a pizza party with two young men. They threw down mattresses with us in the missionaries' house, and we had a good time showing them the ropes of planning and getting in to bed at 10:30.

Sunday early we had conference which was in two sessions. In between we had three baptisms from Morangueira. An unwitting member had inadvertently let the water out that we had left and locked from last night's baptism so we had to fill the font by hand. . by bucket. . .by hose, then by the cupful until it was full.

We ate lunch with the president of the stake. (I have pictures to send but am unable to send this week.) One of their sons is on a mission. His wife reminded me of mom, sparky with that special smile, and the remaining two sons work hard to help the missionaries. One plays handball and I took a picture with him to show you what the ball is like. It's like a hard soccer ball the size of a dodgeball. Cool game. Headed home in the car with the President again, me back in the back of the back. Always new jokes on these rides.

Monday we had an epic meeting with the President and planned counsel and the mid-transfer transfer that will take place next week. The President also made an epic secret announcement about the next transfer. I can't tell you yet, but this is good : )

Yesterday was counsel. We trained the leaders on how to analyze their zones, identify challenges and create solutions to be put into practice. We are growing as a mission and as leaders. To think that when I got here there were two companions in Tupa and now there is a zone : )

Well, that's the play by play. This week we have LOTS of work to do. We have a couple that are going to marry on Saturday and be baptized afterwards. We also have three more families that went to church that we are teaching for this Sunday. Administratively, I am creating a new way for the mission to keep track of its numbers, records, etc. I determined, after talking with every secretary of every mission in Brasil that we already are the most advanced mission (we have a website) but that it could be much better and solve a lot of problems. Last month, for example we did a small search into the records and found fifteen people whose records were never sent to the church. "My house is a house of order!" : ) If any of you interested relatives, uncles, grandfather have any inspired solutions, feel more than free to pass them to me!

Meanwhile, I love this work. Being involved in travel and other things, the details, handling problems, just makes me more and more grateful for how I as a missionary can go outside, stop the first person I see, and share my testimony with them of what the gospel of Christ means to me, and what it can mean to them. As I come to understand only a little bit more of our Heavenly Father´s love for us, I am indeed amazed. I am humbled to be His servant and His messenger He has sent.

I am so grateful for the mother He sent to me as well and excited to talk to you all Sunday. I'll call on Skype around 7:30. ; )

Love you,

Tanner