5/26/19 - Family Letter to Emma

Hi Emma !!!

So we went to the cabin thankfully no critters. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Were fixing our fire pit. it is going to be much bigger now!!!!!!!!!

I had another sleep over with Sami! It was fun !!!!!

We also had our Barlow family reunion ! It was also fun I meet a new cousin  her name is Emma too!!!

 She really likes art !!!

I also participated in our grades Talent show with my friends !!!There was a lot of interesting acts!!! love and miss you.

Mari

AKA Dr. Llama

AKA Fuzzy Head

Hey Emma!

School is almost over,

and I have no Idea what to do.

I'm going to start voice lessons eventually,

and then help with Mari's school of rock play,

as stage crew. But I have no plans or correlation

with what my life will be! How are you doing down there?

We're praying for you!!!!!!!! love

Hyrum

M,

Congrats on your leadership assignment.  I excited to see what you can learn in your current position.  Do your best and soak it all in.  You are getting an opportunity few missionaries get to experience. 

We survived Concert Week week 2.  Hyrum had a band and choir concert while Mom and Eve had their combined Violin.Cello concert.  Everyone did very well.  We have been getting constant rain for several weeks.  It was raining very heavily during Mom and Eve's concert.  Many parents were late.  I had to leave the concert early to make it to Hyrum's choir concert. We have been on the move most days. We went to our family Hale Center and watch Mari get really inspired.  This was the show she tried out for.  She did not have any hint of envy or jealousy.  She was inspired and happy for the kids in the play.  She is getting excited for her play this Summer.  It sounds like Hyrum might join the play as stage crew.  We are starting to get serious about his Eagle Project. He is lacking motivation and feels with Scouts ending in the church soon he does not need to finish.  Mom and I feel differently and are trying to motivate him to finish.  He should have a project picked soon.  We hope to have the Eagle Court of Honor before the end of the year.

We had a makeshift Barlow family reunion this weekend.  My Aunt Edris was coming in town and bringing my cousin Holly and her family.  Grandma Mildred wanted to make a party out of their coming.  She invited all the Aunts and Uncle's to come and brought all their family.  It got a little crazy.  Eve commented on how it makes sense how we are all so loud.  It is obviously hereditary.  It was a good time.  Eve bonded with one of my Aunts.  The last time we had all of Dad' family together was while I was in Canada.  They had a family reunion but did not tell me about it until I got home.  We had a lot of smoked meats and had a lot of leftovers.  I think Grandma was very happy about how it turned out.

I'm going to send you a second email.  You have been on my mind for a few weeks and I think I have finally gathered my thoughts in a way that might be helpful. 

Love you kid.  Again, I excited for your leadership opportunities.  Do you best, be obedient, love all those you serve.  It will be enough.

Love

Dad

Pres Eyring - I Will Lead You Along - Ch 23

    Brigham Young made countless trips by buggy through the settlements.  At every stop he examined the process made and then praised or chastised.  

Whether he praised or chastised the people depended upon his perception of the effort.  Their accomplishments did not seem to matter as much as their attitude towards the struggle.  

Prophets are like that and so is God.  All you have to do is the very best you can.  That will be enough.

Sweet Emma,

The Barlow Family Reunion was fun.  It was really fun to meet (or reacquaint) with family we haven't seen in awhile.  Eve, Hyrum, Mari did such a good job to be welcoming and inclusive with all the new cousins. It was precious to see Grandmother Mildred with all her living children.  She seemed so young and bright.  (She is always happy...but this was different).  Dad did his specialty smoked pork.  Matt and Jeshua did Brisket.  Uncle Keith (grandpa's brother) did shredded beef.  He called it 'Shoulder Clod'.  My little student Carter Scholes (cousin Brittaney Barlow's son) brought his violin and insisted that everyone sit and listen to him play....but he wouldn't start playing until I was there (I ran Eve back to Riverton so she could go to a party).  The crowd waited patiently for me to return so Carter could play.  He did great.  Luckily, the violin recital was the day before so he was ready.  Carter is one of my favorite little students!

Speaking of violin students; little Quincey (remember the one who loves Zombies?)  she told me she had the perfect outfit for the recital...she was going to come dressed as a flamingo!  Well, I was quite dissapointed that she DID NOT come as a flamingo...she came as a regular girl in a pretty dress.  I guess her mom had other ideas.  Eve and I did a combined recital at Riverton Music.  All the kids did great!

Dad did a great job in R10 for his first High Council speaking assignment.  His topic was member missionary work.  He asked Harrison Slighting to be his speaking companion.  Harrison did great too.  He came back from the singles ward to speak.  Harrison's topic was missionary work too.  He used almost all of the same quotes and Conference talks that Dad used.  They did great, even with the repeats.  After, Dad had a bit of High Council stuff while the rest of us got stuff ready for the cabin.  We went up to the cabin for a few hours.  The water wasn't yet on so we couldn't stay long.  Mari learned how to use the bathroom in the woods...I think she was proud of her new skill.  Hyrum taught us a new card game called "31".  It's a math-type game.  Eve taught us a charade type game using her phone on her forehead. 

We also went to the 9-11 traveling exhibit.  It was very tender. We visited Michael's grave.  The kids picked out a little toy for him.  Dad always wonders about his brother Michael. It's been a good weekend.

Dad and I went to the temple this week.  I know that Heavenly Father loves you. I have no doubt that He is pleased with you.  I am so proud of you.  You are doing so much good and have so much more good to do.  I hope you take the time to celebrate the joy of Service every day.  You are so loved by so many, especially us.  We pray for you and your new assignment.  We had a surprise when Sister Ribiero posted a cute video of a bunch of you singing Mother's Day songs (you on Ukulele).  What a fun treat!  You sound great!

I love you so much!

💜Mom