From Mom December 5, 2014

December 5, 2014

Dear Riley,

I hope you liked your Christmas package.  The summer sausage has to be eaten once you open it, so share around.  And of course I will want pictures of your gingerbread village when it’s completed.  I realized I didn’t send hangers for the decorations on your tree; I’ll get them to you later.  I hope your cushion is sufficient.  Anything you don’t want to take with you to Thailand we can take back, of course, but it pleases me to draw a little Christmas spirit in your space this year.  Just so you know, Josie calls the Christmas stocking buckle-buckle-beanstock.

I am wasted today.  Yesterday I took Josie to Walmart (two trips on two days, can you believe it?) with me to pick up 700 candy canes for Santa’s visit to Cascade.  While I was there I realized that I had not gotten Elise socks as I had intended the day before.  So then I got Josie some socks as well, two different sets: one a set of bright patterned no-show and one solid colored tube socks for wearing with her boots.  She was SOOOO excited about them.  All afternoon she was trying them on, two and three per foot at a time.  “Parker, do you like these?... (say yes).  Do you want to see these ones on?” 

Dad and I left early for ward temple night.  We went to the Timpanogos Temple and made the 6:30 session which was nice.  It was the movie you saw there in that temple when you went through, so I was enjoying it and thinking of that day.  And then the movie stopped abruptly and we sat in stunned silence for a moment or two while the officiator considered the problem.  He walked up to the alter and pressed a few buttons before we saw a blinking red light reflected on his white coat.  I’ve never had anything like this happen in the hundreds of times I’ve been to the temple.  After a bit they brought the lights up and an engineer came in to work on the problem.  After about 20 minutes they decided to move us to a different room.  But to do that, we had to stand in the hallway for a few minutes and then sit in the chapel for a few more.  It was really interesting.  Then when they got us in our new room, they started the movie where we had left off.  Except it was a different movie.  It felt so incongruent though every word was the same.  What a memory.  Oh, and the name I did was from my home town in Michigan, St. Joseph.  That was crazy as it’s a small town.

After the temple we had to stop and pick up milk at the store on the way home.  We were approached by a druggy who asked us to make a call for him and that slowed us down for a few minutes while we tried to help in a way that would truly help and not feed a habit.  It was weird really.  The entire evening has a funny ring. 

After eating dinner at about 10, Dad took a bag to the brute box as he had told the kids he would.  We got to bed kind of late.  And then I was awakened by repeat door opening and closings.  Josie was trying to find one of her favorite socks which wasn’t in the treasure trove she had created at the foot of her bed.  You guessed it:  the brute box.  Figuring that knowledge would distress her, I told her we’d find it in the morning. There was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth and we’re all slogging around today.  Except Josie, she’s as productive in her messes as ever.

Deadline!  Gotta go.  

Love you, 

Mom

From Mom December 3, 2014

Decemeber 3, 2014

Hello, Riley,

Still no car, but I'm supposed to get it in a little bit.  A miracle may occur and I may both find your cushion and post it, but it's likely not to happen until tomorrow as Josie has to nap and that lands me home.

Here's one quick funny story from this morning. Dad came in the house from taking Aleah to school. 

Dad: I know I've said it before, but if I didn't move the scooters, I wouldn't believe they were ever used because they are always in the same place.

Josie (from upstairs in her room): Dad, it's my scooter.

Dad: Well, it's out in the rain getting rusted.

Josie: I know.  It's thirsty, that's why.

Your laugh from home for today.

I hope your study is productive.  We pray constantly for you to be adequately prepared in every regard for your work in Thailand.

Love,

Mom

From Mom December 2, 2014

December 2, 2014

Hi Riley!

Business items:

· We'll email you the addresses you asked for.
· Shall I return the other pajamas I'd bought you?
· I see your departure date is Jan 19 on your mail return address. We'll make the adjustment, but Jan 21 is in the ward newsletter.
· I still forgot to turn your tithing in. Sorry. I'll try to turn it in, but it may be that since your records are there you have to submit it. I'll check with Dad for procedure.
· What do you want in a package food wise? I can’t believe you’re losing weight! Aren’t you eating the treats we send?

I want you to know that I am looking for a cushion.  I found one last night at Sam's when I got my prescription of antibiotics filled.  But it was a heavy gel seat and I'm not convinced it wouldn’t be inconvenient to lug around.  So then I planned to shop around this morning.  But the van is having some kind of fuel feed trouble and I had to take it into the shop and Cambry has my car.  :(  So you won't get it today.

The kids love the Minecraft gauntlet you created for them.  They have worked as a team in that every one of them has suggested a way around various obstacles.  Of course there has also been some frustration and even some tears.  They played it for FHE activity while Dad and I (and Josie with her blue controller) watched.  Parker was fighting zombies and was excited that he had made it through and saved the game just as Elise had gotten killed by being pushed back into the lava pit.  Where she had been next to him, after re-spawning she was sent back to the lava path.  She tried it again and again but underneath her attempts was always the injustice of the inopportune game save.  Finally Dad talked her through just keeping right in the center of the path.  The next re-spawn though, she was back at the lava path, ugghh! Parker took over her controller and caught her up to himself and Aleah in the maze. That's where they are now.

I feel a kinship to your companion being a twin myself.  Even though you are separate people, you are connected in this way that can't really be explained and you are also compared against each other more severely than any other sibling relationship.  Ben and I are boy/girl, which makes the comparison more tolerable, but it's still there.  When you're separated, it's unnerving and exhilarating at the same time. But then to have your twin replaced by a companion, a different kind of twin relationship without all the other history and connection, it's complicated. The fact that his parents went for a third pregnancy after two sets of twins tells me they are faithful people.  Love is the best way to strengthen your relationship. As your mother, I can see in your pictures that you do love him. As with all your companions, when you don't understand something, rather than making a judgment, remain curious.  And serve him constantly.  You may have him as a companion later in the mission as well, so build a loving foundation on your part.  Perhaps his shoes could use a shine?

How I love hearing from you. It's very important to me to keep the family bonds strong even over this time of separation.  And your letters show that it's important to you as well.  That touches me.

Have a great day. Maybe take a smashed box to sit on in class until your cushion arrives?  I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

All my love,

Mom

From Mom November 30, 2014

Hi Riley,

We got your letters yesterday.  I hope that you didn’t break any rules writing to us mid-week; I thought you could only write on PDays.  But it was a delight to hear from you and the girls were tickled to get their own letters.  Aleah hung hers on her wall.  Elise was tender and has been thinking about your letter and brings up something you said every now and then.

I will look for a seat cushion for you.  Dad has said that it was difficult to sit that long for him as well and that’s why he thinks missionaries gain weight in the MTC: they eat as much as they want and then they sit ALL day.

We went to two movies as a family yesterday, I mean two different movies.  Dad and the big kids saw Mockingjay – mum’s the word – and the girls and I saw 1-zero-6 as Josie says (Big Hero Six).  Josie was pretty still and quiet the entire movie.  I think it scared her.  But I so enjoyed the hour plus holding her, paralyzed as she was.  She couldn’t fall asleep last night.  And she’s still making noise up in her room at 8:30 tonight.  Oops.

We remembered you as we ate our fish dinner tonight.  Too bad we can’t get perishable food to you.  But I wager you’ll eat plenty of fish in Thailand.

Oh, before I forget, can you mail us one of your wallet-sized pictures back for your plaque?  Just when you next mail a letter will be fine.

Cambry spoke today in her ward.  She had a stomach of knots last night after we got home from the movie and couldn’t tell if it was nerves or illness.  She asked Dad for a blessing and got a sweet, short one.  She came home for dinner this evening bubbly and happy, so it must have gone pretty well.  She said it did.

Speaking of blessings, I transcribed your back to school blessing for you and it is attached to this email.  You were told some of same things in your father’s blessing as your setting apart.  And I remember some of the same phrases in your ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood.  It’s true, Riley!

I love you, son.  You are a joy to me.

Love you very much!
Mom

PS

I just wanted you to know that while I was watching the posts on your mission facebook this week, I had a strong sense again that this is where you are supposed to go.  It's fascinating to me.  And comforting.  I read your patriarchal blessing and it speaks of us giving you up unto the Lord.  I have felt that as well.  It's my Hannah moment.

From Dad December 01, 2014

Monday, December 01, 2014

Re: Letter 2 of 3

Dear Riley:

It’s hard to believe it’s another P day.  It’s so good to get letters and pictures from you. You sound and look great!  The Gs told us they’ve run into you three times now. They reported that the Branch President is very impressed with you and says you are an extremely sharp young man.  All this combined with just the busyness of life makes the weeks fly and helps make you seem nearby.  I know you don’t have much time to write. I’m not sure what options you have at your disposal, but when I was serving I was able to send home copies of my journal entries from time to time, and even some voice recordings which were greatly appreciated back home.

Before you left, I asked you what projects you would like to see completed when you returned home in two years.  I think this was an inspired thought.  Sister E told me the best way she has found to make the time fly is to plan on accomplishing some ambitious projects.  She found that focusing on this, instead of checking off the calendar day by day has made the time fly by with K in the field.  She actually found herself thinking that she was going to need a little more time to complete everything she set out to accomplish.  So this is what I’m doing!  I find this approach quite motivating and empowering.  Who knows?  You might not even recognize the place in two years.

Thanksgiving was wonderful for me.  For the first time in a long time I felt relaxed for three days straight and was able to just enjoy family and some beautiful weather. Following a week with three funerals and tithing settlement, along with work, home, and other Bishop responsibilities, I really needed the break. 

Hey, before I sign off, I want to share a scripture I had forgotten, but rediscovered yesterday.  It’s about the power of fasting and made me think of my missionary.  (Isaiah 58: 5-12)

Stay the course!  Chin up, and smile.  It’s a great time to be a missionary.

All my love,

Dad

From Mom November 29, 2014

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Hi Riley,

I’m racing the deadline here.  We’ve had a slow morning and I had to cook breakfast because no one ate pumpkin pie as I had hoped.  I guess that only works the morning after Thanksgiving.  But as soon as the butter was sizzling in the skillet, they all revived.

Dad went fishing at the dam last night with Parker and Elise and D and Z.  They brought home 10 large fish, a feast! 

Dad has the new door to the storage room installed and it swings the right way.  Hurray!

Yesterday my new router arrived from Amazon and I was so excited to get it set up.  But would you believe it came broken?  I spent an hour figuring that out and verifying with their technical support department.  So I went to Best Buy on Black Friday.  I was in agony at the thought of it.  But they had an unmarked deal on a great router which works great for $20 less than the one I’d bought on Amazon. And though the parking lot was crazy, the store was fine and I even got individual help picking out the router.  The sales guy couldn’t find the price on the one I was considering and came back excited because it was $90 instead of the usual price of $150.

Thanksgiving was nice up at Grandma’s.  B G was great company and looks brighter than he has in some time.  He’s working-full time and taking 16 credits at Weber State and getting all A’s.  He going to transfer to the U I think this winter.  Grandpa has been scanning old pictures from when I was young and sending them.  You can just tell that he is enjoying this trip down memory lane.

This is so short.  But I just wanted you to know that we miss you and we are thinking of you.

Much love,

Mom

OK, since I was racing the deadline, and I actually barely made it, I was thinking about the things I had planned to share but didn’t on the way home. 

Thanksgiving morning Josie was hungry.  Wednesday evening I had pain in my left ear much like the pain I had in my right ear as the shingles were coming on and I had an enormous knot in my left shoulder.  So Dad was using the homemedics on my back while the rolls were rising.  Josie grabbed a pomegranate and wanted it opened.  She went through the kitchen doorway by the stairs and accidentally dropped it on the carpet.  Then when she went to grab it, she actually rolled it along the carpet through the living room.  When it was dropped the skin of the pomegranate ruptured dribbling out a trail of pomegranate juice through the living room.  Dad took spot shot to it and now we have light circles where I suppose the carpet is clean.  Eeewww.  It’s hard to think about improving the house with new carpet when things like this (and the sharpie in the family room) happen. 

Parker couldn’t find his fishing license anywhere last night.  And you weren’t around to offer suggestions of where it could be.  Your room is progressing about as you would suppose it is.

Because the weather was so fine yesterday (Friday) the girls and Dad and I ran to Cascade Park for a half hour or so.  The smaller swirly slide has a huge gash down it and so it’s closed off.  Josie noticed while she was swinging that the castle tops had snow on them (they are bleached  from sun).  I hadn’t realized that this park had aged so much; it was new when you kids were small.

By the way, when I got home from dropping your letter, the pumpkin pie was almost completely gone.  They were willing to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast dessert, but not breakfast.  Go figure.

It’s Grandpa Bramwell’s birthday today.

From Mom November 25, 2014

November 25, 2014

Hello, my boy!

I'm still enjoying your letters and thinking about what you've shared.

Just so you know, I have a noon deadline if I write you through dearelder.com and a 3:00 deadline if I drop a letter through post mart to have same-day delivery. So when I get your mail, I'll respond as I can within those parameters.

I'd like to know more about your companion, his name and where he's from, what his family is like and how he fits in it. Plus his gospel experience if he's shared that.

I hope the language is coming along. It just fascinates me that missionaries become so proficient in such a short period of time. It makes me wonder why I haven't ever really taken the time to gain a second language... in all my spare time, right?

Thanksgiving is upon us and it makes me happy that I made a Thanksgiving dinner while you were still here. I cooked a turkey last night and just had gravy, mashed potatoes, winter squash and peas with leftover cranberry sauce. No stuffing or pies. But Dad took his little turkey nap after dinner. :)

Cambry was able to come home last night. Grandma and Grandpa Parish left for Arizona today to spend Thanksgiving with Uncle Jimmy and Grandpa King. Grandmother Pat is visiting her family for a while and they are helping take care of Grandpa. We will spend Thanksgiving up in Layton. I have pies and rolls for an assignment and will take pumpkin pies only. That makes me think that you need to direct me on letter content in the future: would you rather hear about things like this after they happen so you don't feel left out? Or would you rather hear what we're planning so you can picture what's happening?

We've had a lot of contention the last little bit. I've got a sinus infection again, but I can tell it will dissipate if I am faithful treating it. That explains a lot. But Parker and Aleah are still at each other. That makes you homesick, I'm certain. ;)

It's time for a temple trip. I was looking at the Provo Temple schedule to make sure it wouldn't be closed on me. It only closes the weeks that have Christmas and Thanksgiving in them. I was relieved. I'll think of you and pray for you in all my temple time.

This letter is coming through dearelder.com and my deadline is coming up. But I wanted to share a part of B's letter from yesterday. It made me think of the counsel Bro. Cooper gave you:

"Oooh, so on Saturday night, we skipped dinner (or at least postponed it) until the hour we were supposed to be in, so that we could be out working during daylight hours. It was about 7:38, and we had 20 minutes of proselyting left until dinner. (In the white handbook it explains that typically dinner should be finished no later than 6 pm, but Saturday is an example of an atypical circumstance. With it getting dark these days right before 6:00, the hour of 5-6 is actually our most precious time, and it stinks to have to eat dinner then, because once it's dark it's harder to get people to talk with us. ANYWAY, whenever we don't have a member dinner, we sometimes like to move our dinner hour to make the most of our time). ANYWAY, we were considering going in a few minutes early, because it was DARK, and COLD, and we were hungry. I was driving, and we were both just like, "uh... what should we do?" All our plans and back up plans had fallen through, and we both rationalized, "well, it wouldn't hurt to go in a little bit early." But we both still felt a little guilty for considering that idea, and so RIGHT before we were going to turn into our apartment, I kind of just.... turned the car down this one street we had been working on tracting, but hadn't finished yet. The car just sort of drove itself in front of a specific house, and we were like, "okay, we're going to knock 5 doors real quick then go inside." I didn't have a ton of faith, but I was relieved that we were being obedient, contrary to my human weakness. The VERY FIRST DOOR that we knocked on, the house we had parked in front of, the lady let us in. We taught the restoration. She agreed to meet with us, read The Book of Mormon, and even be baptized if she came to a knowledge of the truth of our message for herself."

One last thing, when I saw Bro. P at Saturday's funeral, I shared with him that he had been an answer to your desire to increase your spirituality. He got misty-eyed and told me to share with you that I had shared this with him. Everyone asks how you are. You have a large cheering section both here and in the spirit world.

Oh yeah, you were in my dreams last night. I don't remember what the peril we were fighting was, but I do remember that you were strong and faithful and tireless in the fight. Go, Riley!

I love you,
Mom