3/3/19 - Family Letter to Emma

Hi Emma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K so i went ice skating his week With Zoii , Elise, Becca , and Grace!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So when we whet Ice skating Becca Grace and Me we played a Game so we went up to some random boys and we did guns and said

Hi! they kept avoiding us 🙁. But... when we were driving home Becca said "I miss my Hotty With a Body" We were Laughing and laughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I drew a galaxy on my bruise!!! any way that was my week !!!!!!!!!!!

love you lots Mari

Hey Emma!!!

Girls are strange, Snow is getting old,

 and the play is getting serious.

My life is other-wise normal/ boring.

How's your week coming along?

Love

Hyrum Barlow

M,

I hope your new area is going well.  We saw the photo of your new comp online.  Your Mom and I are very excited for you to be training and opening a new area at the same time.  Your new comp seems awesome.  We can't wait to hear about it.  We are reconsidering if we are going to Brazil to pick you up.  Your Mom will chat with you about it tomorrow.  We have not ruled it out but are considering our options.

Not much happened this last week.  Hyrum and I had our first Ministering Interview.  We dressed in our Sunday best and headed for the interview.  The brother doing the interview was in jeans and a golf shirt.  This gave Hyrum and I a chance to talk about our preparation and accountability as Ministers.  We dressed in our Sunday best because we recognize that this brother represents Christ in our interview.  It does not matter who the interviewer is, what they are wearing, or what position they hold. They have been instructed by someone holding keys to hold the interview and by doing so they represent Christ.  We prepare as needed regardless of what the interviewer might be doing. 

We had the Youth Fundraiser on Friday.  It was the normal auction and a Mexican dinner.  We spent way too much and came home with a Fishing trip with Brad Fullmer, a Lake outing with the Wilferts, a Churros cake from Anna Wenerstrom (it was fantastic), a gun safety class from Russ Young, a blanket and some hand towels.  I made your Mom write the check.  I never want to know how much we spend.  I keep hearing Grandma Mildred say "You are not buying things but investing in self esteem."  I hope these kids enjoy their camps.

Last night Eve had a cello concert.  We had it at a music school downtown.  They had a wall of alumni and most have gone to some music conservatory school.  Many of those went to Juilliard.  There were many skill levels at the concert.  Eve is great and we think we have finally found her a teacher.  We are excited for her to build her talent.  She will get a chance to perform her song a few more times before she is done with it.

Adam and Blaikley had Grayson blessed today.  We went to Orem for the blessing.  They attend a really old church that does not follow a normal floor plan.  During the prelude music we heard a harmonica in the back playing along to the organ.  A few songs later the harmonica did a solo song.  I tried to look back but could not see who it was.  i looked like an old man was playing but he was in the very back of the overflow.  He played along to the opening hymn as well.  It reminded me of the scripture we always quote, "the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."  It was "singing" in his own way.  Many of us might have alternative ways that we "sing" and praise.  All that matters is that we find a way to "sing".  It was a wonderful experience and added a lot to the meeting.

We are excited about your new opportunities and challenges.  You are prepared and ready for exactly what you are asked to do. 

Love ya kid

Dad

D&C 25:12

Sweet Emma,

It was so fun to see some stuff on your Facebook mission page.  You look really good!  Just in case you haven't seen your picture, I will send it to you.  Your new companion looks really nice.  I can't wait to hear all about your new experience and your new area.  

Hyrum seems to be doing better.  I think this dose of medicine is right for him.  He also finished meeting with the therapist.  He always has the option of starting up therapy again if he needs it.  Hopefully he can continue to recognize the good things in life.  Right now he is pretty excited about Pirates of Penzance.  They start their long rehearsals this week and Mrs. DeJesus put together a healthy snack schedule for the kids all this week.  We bought some 'stage makeup' for Hyrum...and he's not too happy about having to wear it.  I promised we would keep it to a minimum and make him look manly.

Mari has so much fun with her friends.  They are truly "Giggly Beehives".  She is a bit boy crazy and starting to get into big earrings and really cute outfits.  She is still very sweet and full of sunshine and has a hug for everyone.

Eve did beautifully at her cello recital.  Her song was so tender that I couldn't hold back the tears.  She was downplaying her performance, but she did really well, especially because she only had this music for 2 months (plus memorizing it!).  One of the adult students at the recital was a woman from our Stake whom we had met before (Amy Woody).  Amy had been an amazing violinist who was in a car accident.  The accident caused her to lose her hearing.  She now wears a device like Ari Bray (magnet to her head) so she can hear basic sounds. Since the accident, Amy's violin was too high-pitched to hear anymore and she was devastated.   Amy met Eve when Eve came to play "Savior Redeemer" in her ward.  Amy was so touched by her performance that she said she KNEW she was suppose to take cello lessons.  Her husband gave her cello lessons for Christmas....and Amy played at this recital right before Eve.  Amy was in tears because of gratitude for Eve and her example and inspiration on her cello.  It was tender.

Eve is also getting ready for Prom this week (I'm sure she told you all about it). Her dress is beautiful green.  I will send pictures.  We went back to try to find Mickayla at Charmin Charlies but she wasn't working that day.  I was intending to ask her about if she found a church to go to. 

I had a different missionary experience this week.  One of my cutest little students "Q" (I told you a bit about her "make-up" lesson) informed me that she doesn't go to church.  I asked her why:

Q:  Because l don't like to look at those bloody pictures of that guy hanging up.  It's creepy

Me:  Oh!  That's too bad.  I like to go to church.  At my church we don't look at pictures like that.  The man on the cross is Jesus Christ.  We like to look at pictures of him alive.  Jesus came alive again and now he's all better.

Q:  (looking shocked and a bit scared)  He came alive again?.....like a Zombie?

Me:  No.  He is alive...just like you and I are right now.  He will never die again.

Q:  So can we see him?

Me:  Yes!  One day we will get to see Him and He will give us a big hug because He loves us!

I'm sure "Q" will have some fun questions for her parents.  "Q's" backstory:  Her dad works for Budweiser.  Q is about 5 or 6 years old.  She loves skulls and spooky things.  She lives in the 17th ward.  For about a month, every time I drove by her house I saw a headless pink/purple unicorn pinata hanging from their tree in their front yard.  She said she and her little sister take turns tying each other up and playing pirates.  She is darling! 

Barlow family night was wonderful.  Kim's birthday is coming up on April 1.  Rachel is trying to put together a surprise book of notes for Kim.  She needs the notes by March 8.  If you have time to write her a quick note, I'm sure she would appreciate it.  If not, no worries.

I'm so proud of you.  You are doing a great work.  Thanks for your example to all of us.  I fasted for you again today.  I think it's quite an honor that President wants you to open a new area in his ward.  He must know that you will love the people and help them to know Christ. 

Have a wonderful week!

💜Mom