March 29, 2015
Dear Riley,
It’s all the same every week: there is more to do than I can possibly accomplish. Sometimes I wonder if my bleak efforts are even worth expending, because they ALWAYS fall short of what I WANT to get done. But I soldier on all the same.
Thankfully general conference is next week and that always gives me a shot in the arm. In fact as I was in the General Women’s meeting last night, I considered that my sisters in Thailand, even my newest sister who was taught by my son, were seeking and finding answers the same as I from general leaders. It made the meeting tenderer for me. I started weeping as we sang the last verse of How Firm a Foundation:
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!
So the tears started there and flowed easily throughout.
How is the work going for you? Are you feeling well? Are you serving your companion? Is the language coming along pretty well? How is the food for you?
KE reported on her mission in Ecuador today and of course it was so good. She spoke of the mercy in the plan and how it extends to us in our weakness as we place all we have and are able to give on the Alter. And then God reaches down and makes it enough and blesses us and others we can bring to Christ. I’ve always thought she was exceptional. Plus our current full-time missionaries spoke. They were in our home for dinner Wednesday night, so we feel connected to them. Elder G joined the church in Beijing and has been a member for 5 years. He joined after investigating the church on his own for six months; there aren’t missionaries in China. He had asked a friend who had been here in the States for college why he was so different: he didn’t smoke or drink coffee or beer. His friend accidentally left a Book of Mormon with Elder G. Elder P is from Denmark and has only been out three months. His grandparents joined the church first in his family. He told us today that he had a couple friends who were at the point of deciding should they serve a mission or not. He and one friend did and the other has not.
In addition to feeding the missionaries this week, I also took dinner to the E's. R had a horrible accident this week. R was doing construction work on a church and was up in the rafters doing something. He stepped where it wasn’t safe and plummeted 20 – 25’ fracturing both shoulder blades, many vertebrae, and a couple ribs. But he did survive and he will regain the use of all his faculties as he heals. That poor little family; what a burden they carry. I just want to shield them for a little while.
Brother M came home teaching this week. I so appreciate his faithfulness and his goodness to our family as hometeacher. None of us has a lease on tomorrow. But watching a man live true today gives us peace for the tomorrows.
So our family. We’re doing well.
Cambry likes a boy. Maybe even more than likes. The feeling seems reciprocal.
Parker likes a girl. He’s feeling much better. They had the Spirit Bowl this week and he went for the Lord of the Rings Marathon at the school all day yesterday. His rose was an assignment in welding.
Elise and Aleah had festival yesterday. They each played well, though not perfectly which is always disappointing. Elise made remarkable progress this week and her pieces which fell apart on her last weekend were coming out perfectly again and again. Aleah is a competitor. She wanted to WIN festival and perform in the winners’ recital. When her final piece fell apart, which it hasn’t ever, she knew she wouldn’t. As we walked out of the house, she had instant tears and sniffles.
Josie is doing well. She wanted to write her name on a conference activity booklet she got at church today. She can make several letters. It’s probably time to begin teaching her to read. Dad took her and Aleah laser tagging last night and just followed Josie as she fearlessly darted through the course. If you become distracted for a second, you lose her. Dad shot all the people she ran into and was the highest scorer.
Dad is good. Work has been so busy. And the yard and all the other stuff.
I’m so tired. I never get enough sleep. And the hunger around me keeps me hopping. I had a sweet experience today in sacrament meeting. I asked Josie to put away her other things and focus on Jesus for the sacrament. She pulled out the Jesus cards. She was asking questions about the picture of the Christus statue up at temple square. That made me remember the card Joey had sent you kids when he was a missionary in the MTC with his hand written testimony on the back. It made me feel close to him and reminded me how much I love him. I took a picture and texted it to him with a love note.
There is going to be a printed picture derth. I decided I would mail the last two with your birthday package which is not yet mailed. Just so you know they are coming.
I love you so much, son. Have a good week!
Love,
Mom
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