Tuesday, December 2, 2014

From Mom December 2, 2014

December 2, 2014

Hi Riley!

Business items:
· We'll email you the addresses you asked for.
· Shall I return the other pajamas I'd bought you?
· I see your departure date is Jan 19 on your mail return address. We'll make the adjustment, but Jan 21 is in the ward newsletter.
· I still forgot to turn your tithing in. Sorry. I'll try to turn it in, but it may be that since your records are there you have to submit it. I'll check with Dad for procedure.
· What do you want in a package food wise? I can’t believe you’re losing weight! Aren’t you eating the treats we send?

I want you to know that I am looking for a cushion.  I found one last night at Sam's when I got my prescription of antibiotics filled.  But it was a heavy gel seat and I'm not convinced it wouldn’t be inconvenient to lug around.  So then I planned to shop around this morning.  But the van is having some kind of fuel feed trouble and I had to take it into the shop and Cambry has my car.  :(  So you won't get it today.

The kids love the Minecraft gauntlet you created for them.  They have worked as a team in that every one of them has suggested a way around various obstacles.  Of course there has also been some frustration and even some tears.  They played it for FHE activity while Dad and I (and Josie with her blue controller) watched.  Parker was fighting zombies and was excited that he had made it through and saved the game just as Elise had gotten killed by being pushed back into the lava pit.  Where she had been next to him, after re-spawning she was sent back to the lava path.  She tried it again and again but underneath her attempts was always the injustice of the inopportune game save.  Finally Dad talked her through just keeping right in the center of the path.  The next re-spawn though, she was back at the lava path, ugghh! Parker took over her controller and caught her up to himself and Aleah in the maze. That's where they are now.

I feel a kinship to your companion being a twin myself.  Even though you are separate people, you are connected in this way that can't really be explained and you are also compared against each other more severely than any other sibling relationship.  Ben and I are boy/girl, which makes the comparison more tolerable, but it's still there.  When you're separated, it's unnerving and exhilarating at the same time. But then to have your twin replaced by a companion, a different kind of twin relationship without all the other history and connection, it's complicated. The fact that his parents went for a third pregnancy after two sets of twins tells me they are faithful people.  Love is the best way to strengthen your relationship. As your mother, I can see in your pictures that you do love him. As with all your companions, when you don't understand something, rather than making a judgment, remain curious.  And serve him constantly.  You may have him as a companion later in the mission as well, so build a loving foundation on your part.  Perhaps his shoes could use a shine?

How I love hearing from you. It's very important to me to keep the family bonds strong even over this time of separation.  And your letters show that it's important to you as well.  That touches me.

Have a great day. Maybe take a smashed box to sit on in class until your cushion arrives?  I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

All my love,

Mom

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