From Mom July 19, 2015 -- Heeding

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Dear Riley,

Hi, son!  I hope you’ve had a good, healthy, successful week.  I hope things are good with your companion.  Grandpa is from Rigby, ID, right close to Rexburg, so that’s a good thing.

We’ve had a good week.  Josie had me laughing a lot this week.  Friday afternoon I took her alone on errands and she was so content.  I mentioned that I thought she liked running errands with just her and me because it was more… and while I said, “normal” she simultaneously said, “pleasant!”  This was after she had told me coming out of Costco that the man in there knew Princess Aurora’s song.  She had been singing it and he joined in… just like in the movie.  I could see the question flash through her mind if she had just missed a princess opportunity!

Parker had a good week as he had EFY.  He and L were in the same session so we car pooled there and back.  But not really because M still dropped L off to our house in the morning.  I liked when we picked up because Liesel was so enthusiastic and when I asked what she’d learned, she say, “Let me get out my notes.”  I loved that.  Parker just gave a few grunts.  He was a COW (crush of the week) for like five girls.  And then there were two girls in his company who totally monopolized his time Friday night and alllllll day yesterday.  Back to earth, everyone!

Elise and Aleah are doing well.  Aleah helped me make dinner last night without being asked.  She made grilled cheese sandwiches while I made a dumbed down tomato soup.  I appreciated her happy help.  The girls baby-sat the M kids this weekend.  There is only trouble when it’s bedtime and K started to cry.  Aleah observed how when he pulls his face into a cry, his features completely flatten out.  Oh the things an artist notices.

Elise had a nice text conversation with F this week.  She resisted me to start the conversation, but F responded so kindly and told Elise that she missed her.  That made Elise feel good.  I am praying for Elise to gain confidence so that she can look out and see those she can bless.

Tuesday was Aunt M’s birthday. For the first time I dreamed about Eric the night before.  We were playing together batting little stuffed owls around with a soft bat and just laughing about how much “she” was going to love this gift.  It was pure joy laughing with him for a while.  Then he was gone:  he died again in my dream.  I didn’t witness it in my dream, but I mourned again.  But I took that as  a sign that he was handing me some of the responsibility to celebrate with M.  I texted her early in the morning to offer her breakfast since she was coming to drop L off anyway.  I made her german pancakes with unsweetened strawberries and blueberries topped with buttermilk syrup.  It was delicious.  I also invited her to dinner that night, but I didn’t want to pressure her in any way.

So I made a special dinner that I would celebrate her birthday with or without her.  I made a chocolate zucchini cake in rounds and frosted it with a rich, not too sweet, chocolate buttercream frosting.  And I made vanilla ice cream in the afternoon to go with it.  We had lazy lasagna with garlic toast and salad from the garden.  She came!  I was so happy that we got to have her blow out her candles.  

Dad is doing well.  He has bees still!  The queen is laying eggs and the hive can survive.  He is so relieved.  He’s been pretty stressed the last couple weeks, but the last two days he seems more buoyant.  He has to bring the testing equipment for ICP, the ge dioxide test, in house.  He doesn’t really want to, but it’s a good price and we’ll probably be glad some day.  There is just so much equipment happening down there.

I’m doing well.  I can be busy all day every day.  I bought temporary drapes this week.  I hope they suffice.  I still have a lot to do, but paint did so much!  I’m happy.  I love walking the canyon with and without Cambry.  I had a really neat thing happen this week.  I took the girls up the canyon and they walked the 2 ½ miles from Bridal Veil Falls up to Vivian Park with me.  Then I left them there while I walked back to pick up the car and drove to pick them up.  When I left the house, I felt impressed to take my headset and call a friend on that little stretch where I would be alone.  I see at the end that I was heeding the promptings from the Spirit.  She said that she had decided that either believing in God or that He doesn’t exist takes faith.  But the thing that’s most important is what that belief does for you. I was able to testify to her and the Spirit was so strong.  She misses those tender mercies that come to those who believe.

Parker wants to write you.  Or he did earlier.  I hope he gets a chance.

We love you so much.  We think of you all the time.  And we are so happy you’re serving in Thailand.  Have a good week, son!

Love,

Mom

PS -- I forgot to tell you that we saw Inside Out last night, the Disney movie that portrays the emotions as individual characters who have their own story within the people in the story. Parker didn't go with us because he was mowing the lawn after playing with EFY girls all day. But the girls and Dad and I went on the spur. It's a definate must see when you get back. The character Joy was written by someone who knew Cambry, I'm certain! It was really a good movie with an excellent message.

I found some pictures Dad took at the balloon festival.  Here you go!

New additions! (Which is good because the big pink pig caught fire this year!)

This is while they waited for the candy bomber.