June 28, 2015
Dear Riley,
I bought a silver laptop for work before you left on your mission because my red laptop was breaking. I have wanted to switch over to the new computer for some time now, but there was this one big problem: power. Man! Somehow the power cord to the new laptop disappeared before we sent you out. And I couldn’t find it anywhere. I thought perhaps in a rush cleanup, it ended up in the garage. But I’ve gone through everything, even the stuff that isn’t yet in it’s place and the cord wasn’t there. Blah! Now what? Well yesterday it became imperative that I find it because Aleah tripped on the cord of the red computer while it was plugged in and the liquid in the lcd ruptured under the glass destroying the display. I have to do payroll this week, so I have to solve the problem. I looked everywhere I hadn’t looked yet: the entry way closet, the shed, and finally -- Dad’s closet. Yup. It was there. It had fallen back behind the gun safe.
That little story is kind of indicative of a lot of things that happened this week. Unexpected stimulus makes previously planned action impossible, but the solution is out there and just needs to be found.
Monday was KK’s funeral. It was a hard day for me. I played the flute with SM on piano as the opening song. I wanted to play perfectly and prayed that I could. I only made one little note bobble which wasn’t distracting. Sister LP spoke, KP sang a song. Dad spoke. I did feel the Spirit in the service, but mostly I just felt empty. We were mostly holding a service to people who either outright don’t believe or who have not practiced any religion the better part of their lives. It was something like the pattering of rain on glass windows: it can be seen as it’s happening, but there is a barrier to the thirsty soul on the other side. I do believe there was some comfort to those who came seeking.
Tuesday I went up to Ogden to see my ENT up there. As I was sitting in the waiting room I got a text from Cambry that she was stuck in Paris trying to get over to London for her flight home. There was a labor strike and protesters had lit a fire on the train tracks. She waited on the train an hour and a half and ultimately, they had everyone exit the train because they couldn’t run it. The earliest train they could hope to offer Cambry was too late to catch her plane in London. So I had her go to the international airport in Paris. (She was traveling alone just that day!) There was no way she could get to London: the train wasn’t running, the tunnel was closed because of the protests, the ferries were shut down before the train, and all flights were booked until Thursday morning. I called Delta and while they had told me before that changing her flight would cost me $600, the second time I called when we knew for certain that she wouldn’t make her flight, the lady was so helpful. They waved the $300 change fee and got her on a direct flight from Paris the next morning with a $300 rate increase. The original fare was purchased on my credit card and has trip interruption insurance through that. So I should be reimbursed for the $300.
There wasn’t a hotel room anywhere in Paris because of the displaced thousands just like Cambry. So Cambry spent the night in a closed cafe in the airport with about 15 others and flew home nonstop with missionaries headed home. She arrived in Salt Lake eight hours ahead of her original itinerary. It did take me all of Tuesday to work things out. But all’s well that ends well! We’re so happy to have her home!!! I spent Wednesday just enjoying being with her.
Oh happy day: Cambry is home!
Josie's gift was an ABC book about London.
Cambry said this owl scarf just looked like Aleah to her. I think it was probably the big eyes!
Elise got the tea set Cambry used for our tea party picture.
I got Swiss chocolate for my gift. But you can see I wasn't all that jazzed as you can plainly see.
Sometimes I find pictures on my camera that I didn't take. This was one of those. Cambry also gave Cornish honey to Dad and Parker but I was done taking pictrues by the time they got their gifts.
Dad got sick this week. Poor fellow. Too much stress with two deaths in twelve hours. Today he’s mostly better.
Friday was the best day of the week: I took Cambry and the girls to Seven Peaks with friends. There was a special that pass holders could bring a friend for free. I packed a lunch and we spent a few hours running from the oppressive heat. It was great. Josie took Cambry and I to the tadpole pools with the blue cement slides. She slid down the little slide between pools a couple of times with help. Then she was emphatic: I can do it myself. She slid down and her head went under the water. She sputtered and blinked and confessed: I was wrong. The girls missed you while we were there, though.
SJA had her baby yesterday. Crazy, huh? Cambry was able to go see them yesterday. Those are pretty special times.
Aleah made Josie a paper doll princess for a quiet activity. It is so cute: she drew a princess in some long underwear that goes down the the knees like bloomers. Then she cut out many dresses to fit the form in different styles and colors. How cute is that?
Parker had the super activity this week. They went down to Moab and Goblin Valley. MR sent Dad a picture last night from the trip that I wanted to share with you. I’ll try to work it out. Parker had a great time. MR, who came as support to KK and DS, had the boys in water in the heat of the day and their biking or hiking was all early morning and late evening.
That’s pretty much been us. Did you have those baptisms today, then? I hope you’re doing well and your investigators are progressing.
We love and miss you,
MomPS - The dust bowl era picture has been called the Grapes of Wrath photo in our home.
Well the ward choir sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic today. They sang really well and at the end, Josie said she really loved that music. But the funniest part was when she heard, "He is trampling out the vinetage where the grapes of wrath are stored" Josie brightened up and said, "Grapes of Wrath. Ha."
See the culturing the project brings?
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