September 27, 2015
Dear Riley,
How are you this week? I hope you’re doing well and things have been good and productive for you and Elder Hinckley. What new, exciting things happened in your world? Wait, is it really already transfers again this week. Wow, they come quickly! Do you have any indications of what the week will hold for you and Elder H?
It’s been a full and good week here at home. Today was the primary program and it was just wonderful. The primary sang beautifully and I couldn’t have been more pleased with how well they performed. I love the songs and I love my calling and I love my primary children. Josie did wonderfully on her speaking part and Aleah did as well. Josie wore her yellow dress with a white lace overlay which she got for Easter last year. She looked as sweet as can be. Aleah wore the bright coral shirt she wore for the family pictures just before you left and Elise straightened her hair. She looked kind of grown up.
Yesterday was a good day. Aleah, Josie and I had a practice for the program in the morning. When we got home, Dad and I biked our longest bike yet: 32 miles to T’s house and back. T didn’t answer the door when we rang because he was getting O down for a nap. It was hot yesterday, 92°, and we had a headwind on the way home. And we got a stupid goat head in our back tire (we hadn’t put the tape in yet…) It took two hours by the bike computer, not bad. When we got home, I was purple in my face and I felt totally clean inside. Ahhh. I love this!
Dad and I cleaned up to go to the temple and realized as the parking lot was empty that it closes early for Women’s Conference. Oh, I’ve done that before. Blessings for the thoughts and intentions of my heart. So we ran down to JCP to get a purse and wallet then we raced through Lolo’s for groceries. They had chicken thighs for $.59/lb which I haven’t seen in a decade or so. We also got Jarrito’s pop for the kids to try different flavors and which made an instant party upon our arrival home.
We got home just as the women’s broadcast started. Dad and I cooked as the program was piped over the speakers and we ate dinner around 7:00 gathered in the family room. We had a really nice spirit in our home as a result. There was a program which followed two brothers over a decade and it was really sweet. I made a s’more dip in the oven (Heat a heavy cast iron skillet in a 450° oven, pour in a little heavy cream to coat the bottom, spread out chocolate bars, broken into pieces, top with marshmallows and return to the oven until marshmallows are toasted to a golden perfection. Dip grahams.) and we scalded our mouths with yumminess. In the interviews of the brothers, the younger didn’t think they would ever like each other. And of course over the years they came to appreciate and understand each other. It was very good for Aleah and Parker to consider.
We did have a rough couple of days this week. Parker doesn’t want to take medication. I get it. But he is so hard on the rest of us. I caught that he hasn’t been taking it for months. But school’s bearing down on him. And he has taken it out on the girls especially. He became obstinate and oppositional and frustrating. It was hard. But on the other hand, he isn’t suicidal or homicidal without medication anymore, so that’s improvement. I just sure don’t want him treating his companions and future family the way he was treating us. Saturday morning he snapped out of it. Though he hasn’t apologized, he has mended his ways to a large degree.
Cambry’s new bike came in and it is just what a Cambry bike should be! Elise’s is on the way and Aleah got to ride the one from the display home. Just Parker left. But one of his obstinate points this week was not wearing a helmet. Saturday he announced his reform and wore a helmet as he biked to the library. It just isn’t worth the risk. I wear a helmet every ride and once it’s on, I forget about it. They are not so uncomfortable and they breathe just fine.
I rode Aleah’s bike up the canyon with Cambry Thursday night. It’s a bit small, but it’s a fast bike. I can’t wait to steal Elise’s! :) Can you guess my birthday activity this year?
Before I forget: Parker is singing in the choir for the Priesthood session of conference! We had to get a suit and everything! He’s so cute, I’m sure he’ll show up on the camera a time or two for his brother to see. I will go up to the rehearsal Wednesday and Dad will go to the session. Isn’t that neat?
B and N are coming this week for a visit. It looks like they might be moving back here to Utah County. Oh, wouldn’t that be great?! Grandma B has surgery on her other hip this week. Pray for her. L placed at a ballroom competition yesterday, two fifth places and one second!
I’ve been thinking about my heritage this week. My ancestors knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. They were some of the first converts to the church. They sacrificed, suffered persecution and expulsion. They had known ease and civilization. And they forsook that easier life because they believed that what Joseph Smith said happened really happened; they trusted the confirming witness they had as they planted the seed of faith in their hearts. When they arrived here and had to make and do everything for themselves, they carried on. They didn’t quit and forsake for ease or station or riches or anything. There was nothing more precious to them than their faith. We have much to live up to. I sense it. And I take comfort in this time when the Prophet is so maligned on the internet, that these good people who knew him and loved him, stood as witnesses to his character and office with their everything. What an honor to carry their witness forward, even in Thailand!
I love you so very much. I’m so grateful to be a missionary momma! Be the missionary I think you are.
Love,
MomI forgot to send you these pictures last week
She was really proud of her marks.
Aleah really does enjoy running, you can see.
My mom came down this weekend for my great uncle S's 90th birthday party. Before the party, we went to see E's headstone and put some flowers on it.
We had a blood moon here tonight. I'm sorry the pictures don't do it justice. Dad and I went for a walk (and stopped to talk with half the ward along the way) and watched as the full moon really disappeared. It was something!
So cool. Did you see any of it?
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