5/6/19 - Family Letter to Emma

Sweet Emma,

We are a bit late getting your letter to you because the power went out about 9pm last night.  Luckily, it went on again by morning. 

To pass the time in the dark, Hyrum told us a story (it was really good and intense!) and he played the piano while we sang hymns.  I love it when our family harmonizes!  We all went to bed early.... might as well.

Last night in the dark, I thought about all the analogies for life.... without the power of God in our lives, we can't do much.  We often take 'light' for granted and don't appreciate what we have and all that it helps us to do and understand.  I'm thankful for missionary work to help bring that light into people's lives.

I LOVE the story about Maria.  There are people prepared EVERYWHERE, we just have to look.  I'm so thankful you found her!

In the pics I sent this week, I sent one of Adam, Blaikley, and Grayson....he is so cute!  I got to hold him last night and he is a CHUBBY SQUISHY BABY!kj  I love that little guy!

Orchestra is over for the year!  The kids sounded really good this year.  When we went to Southland to rehearse before our concert, one of the teachers came up after the concert and told us that she heard us rehearse and thought that the high school was here to do a concert.  I'm very proud of these kids.  Mari has improved so much! Like Eve, she is fun to watch play the cello.

Hyrum performed in a theater competition.  They sounded great but didn't place. Musically, they were great, but because they only had the music for a bit over a week, they didn't have the time to put enough characters in their performance (according to the judges).  I was proud of him for volunteering.  They did 'Heart Full of Love' from Les Mis.  I will try to send part of the video.

Dad was set apart yesterday for High Council.  It was really special.  I'm sure he will tell you more about it.

We are putting another package together for you.  Is there anything you want/need?

I love you!

💜Mom

Wasa Emma1

My life has been boring, and I really cant wait for school to end.

We just had a blackout, and i told a really weird ghost story.

How is your life going right now.

feeling better? full of spirit?

Well, love

Hyrum

hi Emma how was your week .

 I had my orchestra concerts  this week it was fun !!! We also had our orchestra field trip we went to the discovery gate way children's museum!!! It was a blast!!!

The end of the year is coming soon !!  

LOVE AND MISS
Mari

M,

It was good to talk with you last week.  I will miss you call today.  I needed to go into work.  We were all chilling like we do on Sunday night and the power went out.  The kids decided to tell stories while I checked on why the power was out.  Apparently Hyrum old a great story as all the girls were really into it.  It might have been a little too scary. 

This week was our crazy concert week.  The Elementary Orchestra had many concerts and field trip, Eve had a concert, Hyrum was supposed to have a play but it got postpones.  The play postponement was a tender mercy as we had most of that falling on the same day as our Trek training.  We survived and your Mom is able to breathe again.  The O'Hara's had a wedding reception in their backyard and your Mom volunteered us to go help with the set up before our training.  It was a busy day.

We went to a play that cousin Kalia was in.  We had Braxton and Trevor sleepover which never happens.  It was a good cousin day.  The Middle School did Adam's Family.  I think they have some large donations for the play.  The sets were amazing.  They also had a large stage.  It felt like it was bigger than RHS.  The school is due for demolition in a few years to make room for a new school.  Kalia did great.  This was new for her and she decided to try a lot of new things.  She tried out for the "Dance Core" and made it so she was on stage a lot.  She has some natural ability. 

We smoked some meat for Eve's MORP group.  I tried something new as one of the kids is allergic to dairy.  The non diary ribs did not turn out.  I don't think they knew the difference but I did and was a little bummed.   The best part of the night was watching your Mom's reaction to the boys.  She got fired up and was not happy.  She noticed that the boys spent all their time during the dinner talking to each other.  When they were done the girls cleaned up while the boys flipped water bottles.  Eve came in to brush her teeth and the whole group left her.  Adrainne came back in to look for her, not her date.  Your Mom got heated.  We brought in Hyrum and Cob and launched into a lecture about how that will not be them.  We ran them through each scenario asking for their responses.  they passed.  We have all determined that the guy Eve is into is not worthy of her.  Eve seemed to feel relieved for us to see all that.  She has been frustrated and feels validated that we all agree with her. 

I got sustained and set apart yesterday.  The Bishop sent a note asking me to bare my testimony.  Your Mom told me that week I should do that and this week the Bishop is telling me.  Once I read the note I shot up and went to the front but I had not thought of what to say.  I was so concerned about being obedient that went without and thought of what to say.  I hope it made sense.   I The have assigned me to Facilities.  I oversee all the church buildings in the Stake and Stake camp properties.  That is my only responsibility along with the occasional speaking assignment.  When you get home you will be my speaking companion on a few of these.  They counseled me to find the spiritual in all things.  I thought that was interested because that is what I have been doing with Stake Sports.  I was hoping for a Ward assignment but hopefully that will come with some later adjustments. 

Keep up the good work kid.  Work as if time is running out.  You are working miracles.

Love

Dad

Alma 48:20