August 23, 2015
Dear Riley,
It feels so long since we communicated. Those extra couple of days stretch my heart out! I’m anxious to hear where you are and who you’re with. Details, please!
You may and may not know that there was a bomb in Central Bangkok Monday evening 7 pm your time. It was at the Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist spot. Twenty people were killed and many others injured. I opened my email and the newsfeed showed the bombing. So I clicked on the story. I assumed all the missionaries would be OK as they had their PDay moved a couple days ahead. But before I could worry, I looked in my inbox and President J had already sent word that all the missionaries were accounted for and safe. I really appreciated that quick word. It’s sad that these things happen, really.
We’ve had a big week at home, well even longer than a week.
In my last letter I told you that Dad and I were to celebrate our anniversary. We stayed in a hotel here in O and were so worn out for the vacation, it was difficult to decide what to do. But last Saturday we rented a tandem bike from BYU and biked 20 miles up and down the canyon. IT WAS SO FUN!!! I came home and started looking online for a tandem bike. They are expensive! So I let go of the dream and decided we’d just rent a bike when we wanted to ride. But then midway through the week, I had a little whisper to look on KSL (just like when I found Dad’s truck and my China) for a tandem bike. I also had the impression to look for the same brand we’d rented as we knew that brand could hold up. I found one for $300 up in Kaysville. And we now have a tandem bike!!!! WHEEEeeee.
As Dad and I biked an hour or so yesterday, we passed people who would look at us and then, recognizing that we were on a tandem bike, grin. I told Dad that same grin was on my face the entire time. When I opened up my browser to write you this morning, there were four tabs left open all with things pertaining to bikes and tandems. Dad said he watched one video about tandems and a man shared a saying known to tandem bikers: wherever your marriage is headed, it will get there faster on a tandem. Love it! Dad and I have a blast.
Monday night for FHE, after our monkey picture took waaaay too long because Dad and I were tooooo tired, we had back to school blessings. My heart was drawn out to you that night. I love the spirit of prophecy and revelation that we have in our home when Dad exercises his Priesthood in our behalf. I was told some of the very same things that I had been told last year. But I’d forgotten them until they came to my ears again; I had managed to start worrying about the same things without referring to that counsel. I always marvel when I read the scriptures that words are recorded sometime after the vision has occurred and there are lots of details and syntax to keep straight. You can tell I’d feel inadequate at that job!
Wednesday was the first day of school. I felt awful. I had a sinus infection and just felt fluish and blah. I forgot to set my alarm. Dad woke and got us all up at 6:45. I sent the kids off for their first day of school with cold cereal for breakfast: guilt. I forgot to take pictures until the bus was already there to get Elise. And that’s how the day went for me.
The kids seemed to do well getting back into the swing of things. Elise is happy to be back with friends, Aleah is relieved that she really does remember Chinese. Parker has a good schedule and likes his teachers. Josie is the only one really not happy with the return to school. You see, I’m busy and there isn’t a playmate for her here when everyone is off. This is going to take some adjusting for us. But we’ll do it.
Cambry and T broke up this week. He's closer than she's ever been, but the compatibilty wasn't a superior fit. But she was reassured in her blessing this week which happend before the breakup, that her husband is held in reserve for her and he holds all the virtue she does, a match. And she was told that she will be better in his company than she could be without. Worth waiting for! I'm excited to meet him.
Parker was set apart for the Stake Youth Council this afternoon. And Grandma P was called out of the audience to share her testimony during the general meeting of Stake Conference today. She did a nice job. Did I tell you they were just released from the Canyon Breeze calling?
Dad and I were able to attend CB's sealing in the Payson temple Friday. His bride and he are both 25 and they are so happy to have found one another. There was such a sweet, sweet feeling in the ceremony. We also missed the adult session of Stake Conference last night to be with them at their reception. Choose well, my son! It makes all the difference. And since you're not thinking about your own future in this way at all, let me remind you that if we bring concerns to you, it's not that we want to control your life. It's just that we have wisdom and experience and your best interest at heart. You know this already, but I have reasons to remind you (which are quite independent of you). Just to ease my mind, hear me now.
Friday night Dad and I went and saw the Cokeville Miracle about the small Wyoming town, predominantly LDS, who had a gunman walk into their elementary school with a bomb back in 1986. The whole school was held hostage in one classroom for a few hours. The bomb went off accidentally yet the only two people who died were the gunman and his wife. I was glad I gave my time to that story. I remember hearing accounts of the angels being with the kids at the time. I know something of those who minister to us. I was also touched by the end titles in which it was acknowledged that there are many other innocent people who are not delivered from similar situations. Yet even while Christ walked the earth, not every leper was healed, not every blind person was given sight. While we can’t explain why some receive miraculous intervention and others do not, we should be willing to see God’s hand wherever it is revealed. That touched me.
Well, DB is home from his mission. I forgot to tell you that Mr. R’s wife passed away unexpectedly this summer following knee surgery. She threw a pulmonary embolism and went quickly. The school community is rallying around the family. And Mr. W’s wife is running for city council in P right now. I guess JF is on a mission now because she isn’t liking the family pictures on facebook anymore and she was always one of the first ones to see and acknowledge the post.
I love you so much. I can’t wait to hear from you. Thank you for always sending us good letters that let us know what you’re experiencing. You’re constantly in our prayers.
Love,
Mom
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