Friday, February 5, 2016
Dear Riley,
I feel like I’ve cheated a little: I know you’re training Elder C from Oregon in Chaing Mai. Elder C has been held up getting into the country because of visa troubles. You look really good and happy, and I loved that you got to look directly into the video camera and smile for us (Josie wondered if you could see us). I can’t believe it’s just a little over a year since you were being trained by Elder S who is now HOME! So tell me what I don’t know.
It’s snowed almost all week here. The sun comes out and melts things and then we go back under cloud cover and get more showers. Dad is so tired of shoveling. Also in sad news, Dad just discovered his bees all died in the last two weeks. Winter’s been hard on us I guess.
I regret that I haven’t been enjoying this wonderful snow skiing. When I wrecked on Elise’s bike in October, I banged my shin just about the place you put pressure in your ski boot and it is still sensitive to the touch. D and D are coming next weekend and the family is supposed to take a ski day with them… I guess we’ll know then if I can take the pain or not.
Mr. K called me as my PTA meeting was closing at C Wednesday because Parker fainted in his classroom during pride. Parker felt kind of strange and went to get a drink, but passed out in the doorway. I went and picked him up and took him to the doc just to make sure (he’s now just about 6’). He had eaten in the morning, but he hadn’t had anything to drink. He’d been ice fishing the night before, so maybe he was just dehydrated and therefore had low blood pressure. Never a dull moment.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Hi again. I haven’t heard more on Parker, so I assume there is nothing to worry about.
Bro M’s funeral was yesterday. I had a hard time getting moving, though I had big plans for how to fill my day around the funeral. I went down to do yoga and everything was just so tight. Typically I will just push through and things will loosen up and I’m glad I persisted. But yesterday, I just did 20 minutes and called it good. Then I moved to the elliptical. Kids were talking to me and I had my book ready so it was ideal for a good workout. But after 10 minutes when Dad called us to family prayer, I was glad for a reason to get off. As I ate breakfast I realized that I didn’t want to push because I was sad - I was burying a friend and there is a natural weight in the heart at that. A heavy heart shouldn’t be pushed, but consoled.
It was interesting to me that as I let tears fall through the events of the day, I came back to yoga in the evening and everything felt happy again. My grief was clogging my body.
The funeral was wonderful, a fitting goodbye to such a good man. Dad knew that he would have a limited amount of time for his remarks, so he prepared a few different things. He ended up sharing that sweet time when Josie woke up and the hometeachers had been over and she was upset we hadn’t woken her to be with Bro M. So we consoled her by letting her call and speak with him. He told her he’d bring her something over special in the next couple days. But then within an hour brought her a special card with a picture of himself in it. After connecting with her, he headed across the street. Before he could get all the way across, Josie called out to him, “Wait! I didn’t get a hug!” So he ran back to her obligingly. As he rose from that hug, he noticed her lips puckered up for kiss and, hesitating only for a second, he obliged her again. It was a sweet moment in a time that he knew his time was limited. I’m very grateful we had the opportunity to have him in our home monthly for those visits over the years.
Then in Dad’s remarks, he had transcribed Bishop M’s words as he spoke to B and A at Becca’s funeral and Dad shared that lesson, in G’s words, with his grandchildren. It was sweet all around.
One thing I considered from the funeral was that his kids got a hug and an “I love you” everyday. Though I know you kids know that I love you, and I do embrace readily, I’m sure I don’t hug each kid everyday, especially as they get older. So I’ve resolved to change. You know who gave the longest hug last night at this announcement? Aleah. You know who ran away and made it hard? Parker. But I planted a hug on him when he was reaching for the IKEA chocolate we brought home after the graveside service up in Salt Lake.
Since Friday we haven’t had anymore snow and we have had some really nice sunshine. Ahhh.
Tonight the Provo City Temple is offering special tours to the single girls and women of the area which include the bride’s room and a sealing room. I wondered why we didn’t get to see the bride’s room in the earlier tour. But I get to take Elise and Aleah this evening. Cambry is going with her single’s ward RS in the afternoon.
So I’ve been wondering something. As you’re training Elder C, you must be looking back to your own first few weeks in country. I’m wondering what you would tell yourself at that juncture were you able to go back and give advice. And how does your current perspective inform the way you train?
I love you, Riley. I’m so pleased with the way you conduct yourself. I got another couple messages from Thai friends that you are an awesome missionary. It warms my heart, son. I know the work is hard. I recognize that change is often slow. But I also know what I feel when I ponder the truths I am fortunate enough to have laid out for me. I know that what you share offers peace and hope and every other good fruit. You don’t have to convert the Thai nation. But you do have to live worthy of sharing with the few God sent you touch. I trust you to hear the little whispers that place you in their path. And I trust you to listen as words are given you to speak.
I hope Chaad’s family is still on track for baptism on Elise’s birthday! Wouldn’t that be sweet all around?
With so much love,
Mom
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