11/4/18 - Family Letter to Emma

Hi Emma

 how is it going ? I did my MDT thing  I  think  i did the best I could.

Mom is or has going to send you my video .

So for Halloween I was one of the rocker girls from School Of Rock, the skirt was to cooled to go tick or treating so

mom was super AWESOME and right when I was having a bad day she bought me this really fluffy llama onesie.

 so I wore that when I when tick or treating.

                           love Mari

              

         Was-up Emma!!!!!!!

I'm trying out for the Oquirrh Hills play, Pirates of Penzanse!

I'm doing Newsies king of New York and

Men of Gondor for my audition piece. I really miss you here.

Jacob lost his championship, but i went there in

blue and white arms socks, fuzzy leg warmers, Dr. Seuss hat, and BYU gear.

I looked ridiculous! I love you.

Hyrum

M,

It is fun to see how successful you have been in your area.  Mom is still in contact with the members you serve with.  She shares some with me.  Google Translator seems to work well enough for them to communicate.  I have felt this week to encourage you to make sure you are gathering souvenirs.  Most missionaries decide to wait until they are about to come home to gather things.  Do this as you go.  Think of Missionary Month culture night and what you would want to have available to show off.  We will add money to your account as needed.  We have been putting together a Christmas package for the Peruvian sister in your area.  We hope she likes music as much as you say.  We have made some purchases with that theme in mind.  It will be interesting to see who your companion is at Christmas time.  We are also sending something for your comp.  It might be a good idea to not let your comp know we have sent anything in case a change is made right before Christmas.  I have pondered how it might be uncomfortable to know we sent a package for your comp and you receive the package early and your comp leaves before Christmas.  Just a thought.

Your Mom seems to have had a good birthday.  It was pretty low key.  We did not have as much going on as he have in other years.  I assumed it would be a good lazy down day for her but in her normal fashion your Mom used it as a day to get things off her list.  She enjoyed every minute of it.  We went to see Mari's costume parade.  We only get one more of these.  We ran some errands she wanted to run and then grabbed some Mexican food for lunch.  We then came home and started getting things off the list.  We had planned to watch a movie that night but your Mom had so much momentum that we did not want to get in the way.  Hyrum handled the door with the Trick or Treaters.  We was attempting to have friends over for a party but one by one they all got invited to other parties.  He was going to hang out with us but then he thought about bringing Cob over.  They had fun all night handing out candy and playing video games.  It turned out OK and your Mom got so much accomplished she felt it was one of her best Bdays.

Did you see Mari's video yet?  We tried to send it to you.  We were not prepared for how talented she is.  She sang with about  other girls.  they all sang show tunes as part of the COPA concert.  Most did well but were shaky.  One of the girls was struggling with her timing on her song she got flustered and ran off the stage.  She came back as the last singer and finished her song.  They had Mari sing last.  I think it was because she was so polished.  We had all the grandparents there and Bro. Coon.  He found out she was performing and wanted to come.  We had her sing for Barlow family night also.  We spent some time getting Hyrum prepared for the Middle School Musical.  He is singing a song from Newsies and doing a monologue from the Lord of the Rings.  He sounds good.  Look what you started Emma.  These kids would not have considered any of this without your lead. 

Keep up the good work kid.  Please have courage and do what is required.  We are very proud of you.

Love

Dad

D&C  18:15-16

Sweet Emma,

Lucas and Luzia seem like really nice people.  The elect recognize the light of Christ.  I believe 'luz' in Spanish means light.  Is it the same in Portuguese?  Luzia = woman of light!

Very cool about eating at the Temple President's home.  What a blessing that the Spirit is the same all around the world! 

I'm sure you have a very beautiful tan (yea Italian heritage!) but please make sure to wear your sunscreen!  Grandpa Barlow is in process of getting lots of skin cancer spots removed.  He said it was because he didn't wear sunscreen when he was younger. 

I will watch Sister Larson's makeup tutorials.  Grandma Barlow gave me new makeup brushes for my birthday.  Maybe Sister Larson's videos will show me how to use all these new, weird-shaped brushes.  Speaking of birthdays, thank you so much for your birthday letter and video!  It is a treasure!  YOU are a treasure💕 I'm using the pressed flowers as a bookmark.  Sorry but the necklaces you sent never made it to us....no worries, it's the thought that counts!  Dad spoiled me on my birthday.  It was really great just to hang out with him all day.  It was Mari's first time to trick-or-treat by herself.  She and Audree Moncur went around together. 

I sure had fun "talking" with your English class, especially about Halloween.  When they send pictures, I think they did a better job decorating than we did!  This is my favorite conversation (after they sent a myriad of Halloween pics).  It looks like a combo of Halloween and Day of the Dead.  They also decorated witches brooms with flowers.  I can honestly say I've never seen anything like it!  Too funny!

Marcos:  "See guys...in Brazil we have Halloween too... Move yourselves to Brasil.  You will be happy here. 

Me:  Wow! I'm impressed!  You all did great on the decorations!  It looks like you are all having fun!

Marcos:  The people are happy and warm, and there the most beautiful beaches in the world and we are very friendly.  Did I write a lot of words wrong? To write is still hard to me. 

Me:  I hope we can come and visit before Emma comes home.  Everyone seems so kind, and your country looks beautiful!

Marcos:  It is...we are waiting for you guys....very soon

Me:  Great!  We will be there in 1 hour

Marcos:  It's impossible...maybe in a few months😁😁😁

Me:  👍😊

I ordered your book "Day of Defense"  I will ship it to you as soon as I receive it.  I had to special order it.  We are having fun putting together your Christmas package.  We will send it via LDS EXpress.  Christie is also sending Kade's through this company.  We will go to the drop-off location together. There are so many blessings to having a missionary in the family.  We feel the Love of the Lord daily.  I hope you can feel it too!

This time of year is for visiting different Wards on Sunday and YW in Excellence on the weeknights.  Do they have YW in Excellence in Brazil?  How are things different/the same in the Wards and Stakes there?

I'm really proud of Mari's performance.  She blew us all away.  She has improved so much!  I hope the video comes through.  I'm going to send you Hyrum's first attempt at his musical audition.  He didn't want me to film it but that is how you critique yourself before you have to perform/audition.  We also watched a fun "Wicked-the musical" special.  It was hosted by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and filmed from the Gershwin theater in NY.  Fun memories!  They also showed different "Wicked" casts from around the world at their Broadway hubs.  They showed Sao Paulo!  It was so cool!  What a city!

Both Dad and I are really surprised at Hyrum and Mari's ability they are starting to show regarding musical theater.  Life is full of surprises.  You started this all!  You were so much fun to watch.  You are quite a performer!  I will work on sending you pics from your drama days. 

Eve did a beautiful job on cello tonight at the fireside.  She will try to send a video,

We are so proud of you!  I love you so much.  I've been trying to keep up with the Pres. Nelson reading challenge.  I think I am caught up now.  Mosiah 20.  I LOVE all the scripture about the Savior.  I will never tire of testifying of HIM!

Sending a big hug!

💜Mom