Mom decided this week to go back through her journal and look at her and Dad’s story. She was impressed to do so by the Spirit because she feels like it’s important to have their story written down. I came home from school during the week to Mom sitting on the couch with her journal open. She was saying that rereading hers was a little embarrassing, and that made me curious for what my reaction to my past journals would be.
The one I ended up reading was from my freshman year at BYU. I found an entry from January 14, 2013 that I want to remind you of:
“Riley is such an incredible example to me! He goes to the temple every week (at 4:30 in the morning!) without fail. He can be pretty hard to wake up sometimes, but he always wakes up for the temple.
“He told me a story the other day. He was in P.E. and they were bowling. It was their last time they were going to be at the bowling alley, so Riley decided to treat himself to ice cream.
“There was a girl in his class sitting at the counter. She started raving about the apple beer there and how she loved it so much. She’s handicapped and didn’t really have the social grace that told her when to stop something like that. She finally got to the point and asked my brother if he would buy her an apple beer. Slightly irritated, my brother said, ‘No,’ and walked off.
“He was sitting at a table with his friends when he looked back to that counter where the girl was still sitting, hoping someone would love her enough to buy her an apple beer. Riley then decided that—you know what?—he wouldn’t miss the two dollars it would take to make this girl happy.
“He walked back up to the counter and asked the cashier how much the apple beer was. The man responded with the sizes and prices, and Riley asked the girl which size she wanted. She told him she’d been hoping for a medium.
“Riley ordered her a medium apple beer and the girl’s face lit up. When he went to pay the cashier, the man looked at him and said, ‘You know what? Don’t worry about it. I got it.’
“People are so good! I am so proud of my little brother and honestly wonder (and hope) that I would do the same had I been put in his position. I am so grateful that I get to learn from Riley.”
I had forgotten that story, but reading it again made me cry. I hope you remember that story and that you still live your life that way. Throughout my life I’m learning that being generous is always worth it. I’m grateful again that I keep a journal because it means I can find nuggets like this story that bless me and teach me years later. I love you, bud. Thank you for your goodness.
Love,
Cambry
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Since you've been gone... October 15, 2015 (delayed)
...we're a little cocky-doodle-do.
Parker chose this one.
Parker chose this one.
Monday, October 12, 2015
From Dad October 11, 2015
Re: Letter 45 of 3
Dear Riley:
Congratulations on your calling as senior companion and District leader! I actually was thinking it was about time for some additional responsibility the week before your last letter, so I wasn’t really surprised. You’ll find this is the way it usually works. You get responsibility which stretches you and you feel inadequate and unqualified for the job. After a while, what once seemed daunting becomes almost second nature and you slip into the routine. Just when you start to feel like you can do the job, and you’ve found a new comfort zone, Heavenly Father asks you to stretch again and the cycle repeats. You’ll do great.
We celebrated Mom’s birthday. We split it between Saturday and Sunday because of fast Sunday. So, for breakfast yesterday I fixed eggs Benedict. Cambry claims it was vastly superior to the eggs Benedict she had in Europe, so I guess we’re quite spoiled. Whoever came up with this creation simply genius and I believe it’s everyone’s favorite way to eat eggs in the Parish home. We broke our fast today with grilled Salmon (sorry Riley!), pan fried Brussels sprouts, oven french fries, arugula salad, and homemade raspberry cheesecake with the bittersweet chocolate Oreo crust. It was all delicious and what made it even nicer was the fact that all the kids helped me prepare it. Everyone also pitched in to clean up the kitchen before going over to Grandma’s for the October birthday celebrations.
Yikes! you're online. I'm just sending what I have written. Sorry so short. I'll make it up on the next letter.
Love you!
Dad
From Mom October 11, 2015
Hello, Riley!
As I type today, I’m a one and a half handed bandit. I broke my left pinky falling from Elise’s bike Wednesday night. I was tired and really should have just stayed home and rested. But I biked long and hard. It was getting dark as I headed home and the headlight wasn’t installed on the bike. There was construction on the street I usually take home, so I decided to ride the sidewalk. But there is a place where they joined two different sidewalks and the sidewalk does a quick zig-zag. I knew it was coming, but it came quicker than I expected. I was able to get the front tire across on the cement, but my weight was too far to the left for the back tire which went down in the V between the zags, stopping the bike instantly and launching me into the air. I landed mostly on the grass on the opposite side of the walk except my right knee which has two quarter-sized patches of road rash. I pulled my hands from the grass and noted that my bottom knuckle on my pinky was jetting toward me while the top of the finger bent back. I honestly didn’t think much before I popped it back into joint. It hurt and my hand was useless. I tried to ride home, but the chain was off and I couldn’t fix it with one hand. There was a church in front of me so I walked up to two suited men as they were leaving and asked for help. Dad wasn’t home, so they rode together in one truck and drove me home.
I didn’t want to go to the hospital. But I had pain in my hand which concerned me. So after resisting, I relented and we went back to ER where I have a lot of bad memories from the Ramsay Hunt. The results were much better this time. I chipped a little bone away when the ligament pulled from the bone, so my hand is in a splint. The nurse couldn’t believe that I had fixed the dislocation myself, she said most people come running to them to fix it. That seems silly to me. The worst is that it made my birthday bike hike impossible yesterday.
I had such a funny moment this week. I told you that Parker’s iguana wasn’t doing well. I’ve been on iguana rescue and she is improving. But Parker is “baby-sitting” a little desert lizard for the T boys, nine short months of the year. Well I went in to check on the iguana, feed her and water her Tuesday morning. The little lizard was lying dead on the edge of the heating pad in front of the iguana aquarium. I figured that Parker had tried to revive her and was too late. I almost scooped that lizard into the trash, but I just can’t touch them. In all the times I’ve come to the iguana’s aid, I’ve only picked her up with a long orange rubber glove and had something at the ready to set her in because it just grosses me out. So I decided to make Parker take care of her after school.
So then after school I called to Parker to get Katie the iguana out in the sun and told him to clean up the other lizard. He said, “She’s not dead.” Of course I took exception to that and looked up in the hallway in time to see her leap from his hand to the floor and jump from there. Ahhhkkkk. I almost touched that thing. He had left the lid off the cage and she got out, climbed from her tank by your dresser and the closet and climbed up on top of Parker’s dresser to warm herself, looking as dead as can be. Ewwww.
The apples are picked, lots of red. J brought over some tomatoes yesterday which I need to preserve. Plus I bought a 25 lb bag of beets last week. And by the way, I have one hand. :)
Wasn’t conference so good? I just loved so many talks. I had a thought during Pres. Monson’s. I’ve always thought the beatitudes were speaking in eventualities. But as he talked about the pure in heart seeing God, it occurred to me that when we are pure of heart, we are open to seeing God’s influence in our lives. We really do see Him. And I loved the last session where all the talks seemed coordinated to teach the same truth=understanding=obedience but of course they were not coordinated beyond individuals listening to the Spirit. Pres. Nelson’s talk was so good and Elders Hales and Holland. Sis Marriott. What lack I yet? How can I choose a favorite?
I’ve started a project. Surprising, I know. I’m writing Dad and my love story in snippets, a page or so at a time. It’s been fun. I was a little appalled as I read about my 20 different simultaneous boys at the start of school. I don’t really know how Dad slipped in there and stuck. Except of course that it was right.
I’m terribly inefficient here. I guess I need to close.
I love you. I fasted that you would receive revelation for how to work with your ward, who to approach, what to say. I just know that you will be led. God cares about your work. What better ally can be sought?
We love you,
Mom
As I type today, I’m a one and a half handed bandit. I broke my left pinky falling from Elise’s bike Wednesday night. I was tired and really should have just stayed home and rested. But I biked long and hard. It was getting dark as I headed home and the headlight wasn’t installed on the bike. There was construction on the street I usually take home, so I decided to ride the sidewalk. But there is a place where they joined two different sidewalks and the sidewalk does a quick zig-zag. I knew it was coming, but it came quicker than I expected. I was able to get the front tire across on the cement, but my weight was too far to the left for the back tire which went down in the V between the zags, stopping the bike instantly and launching me into the air. I landed mostly on the grass on the opposite side of the walk except my right knee which has two quarter-sized patches of road rash. I pulled my hands from the grass and noted that my bottom knuckle on my pinky was jetting toward me while the top of the finger bent back. I honestly didn’t think much before I popped it back into joint. It hurt and my hand was useless. I tried to ride home, but the chain was off and I couldn’t fix it with one hand. There was a church in front of me so I walked up to two suited men as they were leaving and asked for help. Dad wasn’t home, so they rode together in one truck and drove me home.
I didn’t want to go to the hospital. But I had pain in my hand which concerned me. So after resisting, I relented and we went back to ER where I have a lot of bad memories from the Ramsay Hunt. The results were much better this time. I chipped a little bone away when the ligament pulled from the bone, so my hand is in a splint. The nurse couldn’t believe that I had fixed the dislocation myself, she said most people come running to them to fix it. That seems silly to me. The worst is that it made my birthday bike hike impossible yesterday.
I had such a funny moment this week. I told you that Parker’s iguana wasn’t doing well. I’ve been on iguana rescue and she is improving. But Parker is “baby-sitting” a little desert lizard for the T boys, nine short months of the year. Well I went in to check on the iguana, feed her and water her Tuesday morning. The little lizard was lying dead on the edge of the heating pad in front of the iguana aquarium. I figured that Parker had tried to revive her and was too late. I almost scooped that lizard into the trash, but I just can’t touch them. In all the times I’ve come to the iguana’s aid, I’ve only picked her up with a long orange rubber glove and had something at the ready to set her in because it just grosses me out. So I decided to make Parker take care of her after school.
So then after school I called to Parker to get Katie the iguana out in the sun and told him to clean up the other lizard. He said, “She’s not dead.” Of course I took exception to that and looked up in the hallway in time to see her leap from his hand to the floor and jump from there. Ahhhkkkk. I almost touched that thing. He had left the lid off the cage and she got out, climbed from her tank by your dresser and the closet and climbed up on top of Parker’s dresser to warm herself, looking as dead as can be. Ewwww.
The apples are picked, lots of red. J brought over some tomatoes yesterday which I need to preserve. Plus I bought a 25 lb bag of beets last week. And by the way, I have one hand. :)
Wasn’t conference so good? I just loved so many talks. I had a thought during Pres. Monson’s. I’ve always thought the beatitudes were speaking in eventualities. But as he talked about the pure in heart seeing God, it occurred to me that when we are pure of heart, we are open to seeing God’s influence in our lives. We really do see Him. And I loved the last session where all the talks seemed coordinated to teach the same truth=understanding=obedience but of course they were not coordinated beyond individuals listening to the Spirit. Pres. Nelson’s talk was so good and Elders Hales and Holland. Sis Marriott. What lack I yet? How can I choose a favorite?
I’ve started a project. Surprising, I know. I’m writing Dad and my love story in snippets, a page or so at a time. It’s been fun. I was a little appalled as I read about my 20 different simultaneous boys at the start of school. I don’t really know how Dad slipped in there and stuck. Except of course that it was right.
I’m terribly inefficient here. I guess I need to close.
I love you. I fasted that you would receive revelation for how to work with your ward, who to approach, what to say. I just know that you will be led. God cares about your work. What better ally can be sought?
We love you,
Mom
Monday, October 5, 2015
From Dad October 5, 2015
October 4, 2015
Re: Letter 44 of 3
Dear Riley:
We just finished the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference. It was wonderful! I’m filled with spirit and a resolve to do better. So many times I was touched by the Spirit as it testified of the gospel truths. The counsel was timely and inspired. The music was beautiful and edifying, and a wonderful feeling of peace and love filled our home.
It was somewhat historic to have three new apostles called in one session as this hasn’t happened since the early 1900’s. We were excited to see Elder Rasband called. If you remember, he was T’s mission president in New York. Back when T returned from his mission 15 years ago he predicted that his mission president would someday be an apostle. I initially dismissed this as simply one of the highest compliments you can pay to someone you hold in high regard. After all, there are so many worthy options to choose from, what are the odds? However, both T and Grandma mentioned having the impression that Elder Rasband would fill one of these vacancies in the days leading up to conference. Yesterday it was prophecy fulfilled. All these things strengthen my faith in the gospel, its principles, and the divine guidance of its leadership.
Another highlight of Conference was that Parker got to sing in the priesthood session choir. This was a multi stake request from the church. Each ward was asked to submit four names. They did an amazing job and what made it even better was the fact that Parker was given one ticket down on the floor which I got to use. This was a nice surprise because I’ve always been self conscious over using any conference tickets distributed to the ward for my own use and had given away the four priesthood tickets I had. As it turned out I got seating closer than I have ever sat before and was so inspired by the entire meeting. Parker was visible on the screen several times, and three times up close. So, you’ll be able to see him when you watch the Priesthood session broadcast. Your mother has her own personal experience regarding this which I’m certain she’ll share.
Other highlights of the week involved Elise’s bike which she picked up on Friday. (Only Parker has to choose a bike now.) She’s so excited about it. She and Aleah are taking the opportunity to explore new places as they learn to master gear bikes and enjoy the many options previously unavailable to them. I recognize this means letting them go and that potentially they could end up in harm’s way. Aleah already had her first crash. However, we can’t live life in a bubble, so we try to teach them safety concepts and defensive riding, provide them with proper equipment and let them go….
Your mother and I decided we need a little more out of the tandem so I’m looking at getting different gears which will allow for even greater speed on flat or downhill stretches. It was a pretty busy week so we only took the bike out briefly yesterday morning before conference. Still fun though. I think your mother’s going to go into withdrawals come winter.
I guess your mother told you about our company ( B and N) for a night. Having nine kids in the home was a circus. There were times when it sounded like twenty. It was good to see them and it compelled me to fix the downstairs toilet which, believe it or not, is now the most reliable and robust flusher in the house. One down…two more to go.
You mentioned the Imitation Game movie in your last letter. We’ve seen it and I actually mentioned it in a letter a number of months ago. It was fascinating and engaging, with a shameless social / political agenda at the end. Actually, it compelled me to watch a couple of documentaries about the enigma machine and fully appreciate the magnitude of what the allied forces faced in breaking the cipher. I enjoyed these more than the movie. Consider a code which has one solution out of 139,000,000,000,000,000,000 and it changes every 24 hours so all the work you do to crack it has to start over each day. The mechanics of how the machine worked, and the mathematical way it was cracked was genius on so many levels. Then, what to do with the information you acquire? How do you win the war with the intelligence you have without letting the enemy know the code had been cracked? This was also mathematically derived to the detriment of many troops and considerable equipment deemed expendable in the overall effort to win the war. There were battles which were deliberately lost in order to conceal the fact that we knew everything the Germans were doing because we were intercepting all their transmissions and breaking the daily code in 20 minutes.
I suppose a parallel could be drawn to the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. We have the advantage and will ultimately win, because we have the key which sheds light on and provides discernment to counter all the falsehoods, all the wiles and snares of the adversary.
The gospel is true. The work in which you’re engaged is divinely inspired and carried out. Stay the course and keep the faith. Let the world say what it will, they can only diminish what we have in our lives if we allow it. Looking forward to your latest report.
Love,
Dad
Re: Letter 44 of 3
Dear Riley:
We just finished the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference. It was wonderful! I’m filled with spirit and a resolve to do better. So many times I was touched by the Spirit as it testified of the gospel truths. The counsel was timely and inspired. The music was beautiful and edifying, and a wonderful feeling of peace and love filled our home.
It was somewhat historic to have three new apostles called in one session as this hasn’t happened since the early 1900’s. We were excited to see Elder Rasband called. If you remember, he was T’s mission president in New York. Back when T returned from his mission 15 years ago he predicted that his mission president would someday be an apostle. I initially dismissed this as simply one of the highest compliments you can pay to someone you hold in high regard. After all, there are so many worthy options to choose from, what are the odds? However, both T and Grandma mentioned having the impression that Elder Rasband would fill one of these vacancies in the days leading up to conference. Yesterday it was prophecy fulfilled. All these things strengthen my faith in the gospel, its principles, and the divine guidance of its leadership.
Another highlight of Conference was that Parker got to sing in the priesthood session choir. This was a multi stake request from the church. Each ward was asked to submit four names. They did an amazing job and what made it even better was the fact that Parker was given one ticket down on the floor which I got to use. This was a nice surprise because I’ve always been self conscious over using any conference tickets distributed to the ward for my own use and had given away the four priesthood tickets I had. As it turned out I got seating closer than I have ever sat before and was so inspired by the entire meeting. Parker was visible on the screen several times, and three times up close. So, you’ll be able to see him when you watch the Priesthood session broadcast. Your mother has her own personal experience regarding this which I’m certain she’ll share.
Other highlights of the week involved Elise’s bike which she picked up on Friday. (Only Parker has to choose a bike now.) She’s so excited about it. She and Aleah are taking the opportunity to explore new places as they learn to master gear bikes and enjoy the many options previously unavailable to them. I recognize this means letting them go and that potentially they could end up in harm’s way. Aleah already had her first crash. However, we can’t live life in a bubble, so we try to teach them safety concepts and defensive riding, provide them with proper equipment and let them go….
Your mother and I decided we need a little more out of the tandem so I’m looking at getting different gears which will allow for even greater speed on flat or downhill stretches. It was a pretty busy week so we only took the bike out briefly yesterday morning before conference. Still fun though. I think your mother’s going to go into withdrawals come winter.
I guess your mother told you about our company ( B and N) for a night. Having nine kids in the home was a circus. There were times when it sounded like twenty. It was good to see them and it compelled me to fix the downstairs toilet which, believe it or not, is now the most reliable and robust flusher in the house. One down…two more to go.
You mentioned the Imitation Game movie in your last letter. We’ve seen it and I actually mentioned it in a letter a number of months ago. It was fascinating and engaging, with a shameless social / political agenda at the end. Actually, it compelled me to watch a couple of documentaries about the enigma machine and fully appreciate the magnitude of what the allied forces faced in breaking the cipher. I enjoyed these more than the movie. Consider a code which has one solution out of 139,000,000,000,000,000,000 and it changes every 24 hours so all the work you do to crack it has to start over each day. The mechanics of how the machine worked, and the mathematical way it was cracked was genius on so many levels. Then, what to do with the information you acquire? How do you win the war with the intelligence you have without letting the enemy know the code had been cracked? This was also mathematically derived to the detriment of many troops and considerable equipment deemed expendable in the overall effort to win the war. There were battles which were deliberately lost in order to conceal the fact that we knew everything the Germans were doing because we were intercepting all their transmissions and breaking the daily code in 20 minutes.
I suppose a parallel could be drawn to the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. We have the advantage and will ultimately win, because we have the key which sheds light on and provides discernment to counter all the falsehoods, all the wiles and snares of the adversary.
The gospel is true. The work in which you’re engaged is divinely inspired and carried out. Stay the course and keep the faith. Let the world say what it will, they can only diminish what we have in our lives if we allow it. Looking forward to your latest report.
Love,
Dad
From Mom October 5, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Dear Riley,
We just participated in a wonderful general conference and I don’t want to spoil your experience next week. But I also want to share! You’ll know that we have three new apostles, the first being Ronald Rasband who was T’s mission president. T loved him so much and said when he came home that Pres. Rasband would be an apostle some day. I thought, “Every missionary believes that about their mission president.” But T’s belief was correct. I will tell you that I was surprised that all three apostles (Gary E. Stevenson and Dale G. Renlund are the other two) were from here in Utah as I expected we might have a foreign appointment. But as each of these new apostles spoke to us today, I felt a confirming witness that they were called under inspiration and they will be qualified for their call.
Yesterday was full of tender mercies that I can’t share with you without spoilers. So I’ll share them later. Riley, God is merciful to us in every detail. When we see His hand and acknowledge it, we open ourselves to additional witnesses and our hearts are drawn to God. I have such a strong testimony of the workings of the Spirit and the individual God we collectively worship.
So here’s what I know: you have a new companion because Elder H's is in a new area. I imagine you stayed in Buriram. Is your new companion Elder N or did they add additional elders to your area? Any blog address for me? What else should I know? Moms share on facebook groups the info they get from the members who message them. :) And how has the work been? Are you still making progress in a number of lives?
Parker sang Saturday in the Priesthood Session of conference. You’ll see him. But at first you’ll have to know where he’s sitting: he’s above the organ, third row up and three in from the isle. He’s right of a tall, bald man. And he’s so handsome and looks good. Dad was able to go to the session and was seated close on the floor. Cambry took Aleah up to the Sunday afternoon session as we had two tickets. They too were seated on the floor, probably 6 rows back, on the far right. What a privilege living here in the heart of the Church!
This week B and N came to our house Tuesday evening. We made arrangements Monday morning, so there wasn’t much time to prepare the house. I had gotten a bee in my bonnet about 10 PM the Saturday before, cleaning bathrooms and preparing the house for Sunday. In fact I joked with Dad that night that I have a sixth sense that no one else in the house has: I see dirt. That was fortunate. I should always expect my efforts to be utilized, because let’s face it… the house is strewn with real life chaos more than it isn’t..
We had people everywhere! I gave Cambry’s room to B and N so she slept on a pad in the craft room (maybe less than happily?). D and I were in Parker’s room and E, Z, A were on Grandma’s pads in the family room. A stayed in her apartment. It was good to be with them.
However, I did ask to have all three toilets working for that many people. Dad didn’t have time until they were already here, but he took the toilet apart and replaced everything inside. And the downstairs toilet is the best flushing toilet in the house now!!!! I can hardly wait for the transformation of the other two… I’ve had to plunge the main bathroom daily for so ever long and it’s getting worse. At one point as we were getting close to bedtime and the toilet was coming back together, N leaned in to my ear at the sink and said, “We’ll try to come back in two years and help you get that hole in front filled in.” Hearty laugh. But you can see what doesn’t get done in anything. What does get done is what counts. And that’s the big stuff.
Wednesday morning I took N out on the tandem to the canyon. It was fun. I was pilot on this run and that is new for me. I realized I can ride the front of the bike, but when I stop, I launch in front of the pedals because it’s too big for me to lean the bike and rest on my foot from my seat. The front seat can’t go down as far because the back handles are underneath. Yeah, it’s not ideal. But it’s still fun!
This experience came in handy later in the week when I didn’t have a car (I loaned B’s family the van and Cambry is using my car) and wouldn’t, but Elise’s bike had come in and was ready to be picked up. So she and I rode the tandem over to the shop and then I pedaled the tandem alone home. Elise loves! her bike. She is an aggressive pedaler. But we did fall as we stopped to cross the intersection at Center and 400 E. As I explained, I have to launch off ahead as we stop. But Elise expected to just lean the bike. The back seat is the balance of the bike. When she went to lean, the bike fell over and threw me to the cement. We weren’t going fast and I just hopped up and crossed with the light. But I think I got whiplash and couldn’t lift my head off my pillow the last couple nights. :( It’s getting better.
I went up to hear Parker’s final practice in the conference center midweek. Oh, they sounded so good! I was talking to LK, not even especially paying attention to the music until I noticed I was covered in goosebumps. You’ll love that session as it is full of people you’ll recognize in the choir with Parker; your brothers in the Priesthood! While I was there, I got a FB notification from NNR as he posted a selfie with you in it to my timeline. This is what it said, likely from Google translate: He is with me,you gonna miss this guy. Haha. At first I thought maybe this was a kidnapping and I should expect a ransom request next. But this was from transfer meeting. [You need to shave in the morning now, you look like you’re toting a stache.] I love Thai friends who share you with me! Thank them for me whenever you have the opportunity.
Oh, and were you sitting on the isle at the transfer meeting. We thought maybe we spotted you in the video, but the frames moved very quickly and it was difficult to be certain. That hover camera was a cool thing, though.
OK, a few funny Josie quotes. This week we got correspondence from her dance studio asking us to remind our dancers to not touch the mirrors. So I did. “I know, Mom. N kept on touching the glass and our teacher said the glass is ah-fliments.” Play Mad-Gab with this until you get to Off Limits.
Today Josie asked Elise to do something for her. Elise thanked her for asking nicely. Josie said, “If I didn’t, you wouldn’t do it. Well, you would do it, but you’d say, ‘ask nicely’”.
Well son, I can’t wait to hear your news. And I hope you’ll love your conference next weekend and then we can share a little after you do.
You are so privileged to have the gospel in your life and to come from a family who believes it, rejoices in it, and live it. Go out and share it! And share with us all the details.
We love you so much!
Love,
Mom
Dear Riley,
We just participated in a wonderful general conference and I don’t want to spoil your experience next week. But I also want to share! You’ll know that we have three new apostles, the first being Ronald Rasband who was T’s mission president. T loved him so much and said when he came home that Pres. Rasband would be an apostle some day. I thought, “Every missionary believes that about their mission president.” But T’s belief was correct. I will tell you that I was surprised that all three apostles (Gary E. Stevenson and Dale G. Renlund are the other two) were from here in Utah as I expected we might have a foreign appointment. But as each of these new apostles spoke to us today, I felt a confirming witness that they were called under inspiration and they will be qualified for their call.
Yesterday was full of tender mercies that I can’t share with you without spoilers. So I’ll share them later. Riley, God is merciful to us in every detail. When we see His hand and acknowledge it, we open ourselves to additional witnesses and our hearts are drawn to God. I have such a strong testimony of the workings of the Spirit and the individual God we collectively worship.
So here’s what I know: you have a new companion because Elder H's is in a new area. I imagine you stayed in Buriram. Is your new companion Elder N or did they add additional elders to your area? Any blog address for me? What else should I know? Moms share on facebook groups the info they get from the members who message them. :) And how has the work been? Are you still making progress in a number of lives?
Parker sang Saturday in the Priesthood Session of conference. You’ll see him. But at first you’ll have to know where he’s sitting: he’s above the organ, third row up and three in from the isle. He’s right of a tall, bald man. And he’s so handsome and looks good. Dad was able to go to the session and was seated close on the floor. Cambry took Aleah up to the Sunday afternoon session as we had two tickets. They too were seated on the floor, probably 6 rows back, on the far right. What a privilege living here in the heart of the Church!
This week B and N came to our house Tuesday evening. We made arrangements Monday morning, so there wasn’t much time to prepare the house. I had gotten a bee in my bonnet about 10 PM the Saturday before, cleaning bathrooms and preparing the house for Sunday. In fact I joked with Dad that night that I have a sixth sense that no one else in the house has: I see dirt. That was fortunate. I should always expect my efforts to be utilized, because let’s face it… the house is strewn with real life chaos more than it isn’t..
We had people everywhere! I gave Cambry’s room to B and N so she slept on a pad in the craft room (maybe less than happily?). D and I were in Parker’s room and E, Z, A were on Grandma’s pads in the family room. A stayed in her apartment. It was good to be with them.
However, I did ask to have all three toilets working for that many people. Dad didn’t have time until they were already here, but he took the toilet apart and replaced everything inside. And the downstairs toilet is the best flushing toilet in the house now!!!! I can hardly wait for the transformation of the other two… I’ve had to plunge the main bathroom daily for so ever long and it’s getting worse. At one point as we were getting close to bedtime and the toilet was coming back together, N leaned in to my ear at the sink and said, “We’ll try to come back in two years and help you get that hole in front filled in.” Hearty laugh. But you can see what doesn’t get done in anything. What does get done is what counts. And that’s the big stuff.
Wednesday morning I took N out on the tandem to the canyon. It was fun. I was pilot on this run and that is new for me. I realized I can ride the front of the bike, but when I stop, I launch in front of the pedals because it’s too big for me to lean the bike and rest on my foot from my seat. The front seat can’t go down as far because the back handles are underneath. Yeah, it’s not ideal. But it’s still fun!
This experience came in handy later in the week when I didn’t have a car (I loaned B’s family the van and Cambry is using my car) and wouldn’t, but Elise’s bike had come in and was ready to be picked up. So she and I rode the tandem over to the shop and then I pedaled the tandem alone home. Elise loves! her bike. She is an aggressive pedaler. But we did fall as we stopped to cross the intersection at Center and 400 E. As I explained, I have to launch off ahead as we stop. But Elise expected to just lean the bike. The back seat is the balance of the bike. When she went to lean, the bike fell over and threw me to the cement. We weren’t going fast and I just hopped up and crossed with the light. But I think I got whiplash and couldn’t lift my head off my pillow the last couple nights. :( It’s getting better.
I went up to hear Parker’s final practice in the conference center midweek. Oh, they sounded so good! I was talking to LK, not even especially paying attention to the music until I noticed I was covered in goosebumps. You’ll love that session as it is full of people you’ll recognize in the choir with Parker; your brothers in the Priesthood! While I was there, I got a FB notification from NNR as he posted a selfie with you in it to my timeline. This is what it said, likely from Google translate: He is with me,you gonna miss this guy. Haha. At first I thought maybe this was a kidnapping and I should expect a ransom request next. But this was from transfer meeting. [You need to shave in the morning now, you look like you’re toting a stache.] I love Thai friends who share you with me! Thank them for me whenever you have the opportunity.
Oh, and were you sitting on the isle at the transfer meeting. We thought maybe we spotted you in the video, but the frames moved very quickly and it was difficult to be certain. That hover camera was a cool thing, though.
OK, a few funny Josie quotes. This week we got correspondence from her dance studio asking us to remind our dancers to not touch the mirrors. So I did. “I know, Mom. N kept on touching the glass and our teacher said the glass is ah-fliments.” Play Mad-Gab with this until you get to Off Limits.
Today Josie asked Elise to do something for her. Elise thanked her for asking nicely. Josie said, “If I didn’t, you wouldn’t do it. Well, you would do it, but you’d say, ‘ask nicely’”.
Well son, I can’t wait to hear your news. And I hope you’ll love your conference next weekend and then we can share a little after you do.
You are so privileged to have the gospel in your life and to come from a family who believes it, rejoices in it, and live it. Go out and share it! And share with us all the details.
We love you so much!
Love,
Mom