7/15/19 - Family Letter to Emma

hi Emma

 how is it going?

life has been good

 there is a hale center theater choir!!!

i am going to addition

i had meet a girl at a party who played Matilda who is also addition too!

anyway love you  lots

 Mari

Hello Emma!!!!!!

I'm doing  stage krew for Mari's school o' rock show.

I'm trying to start airsoft wars in the neighborhood,

but no one is home anymore. But i hope your doing good!

Love from

Hyrum

Sweet Emma,

How was the mission tour?  I can't wait to hear about the place with the big things. 

This week was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A.  I'll send pics.  This time they opened the menu to try anything except the salads.  It was fun.  Hyrum also got a new suit.  He looks GOOD!  We also helped with Dave Martin's benefit concert.  That was a really great experience that we volunteered for next year too (we would love to have you join us!).  Grandpops was kind and donated some money to the BeatALS benefit.

News from home:

• the Apricot tree has SO MANY apricots!  They are just starting to ripen.  We've also harvested zucchini, celery, beans, peas, strawberries, raspberries and basil.  Best time of year!
  
• Cal Neerings came over to Gma Shea's house to help her with some plumbing issues.  When we tried to pay him he said, "No charge.  I have a Grandma too!"  So kind of him!
  
• Today was Ryann Timm's homecoming and Westin Gneiting's farewell.  Ryann has changed alot.  She has a nice countenance.  She said "my parents spent $8000 to give me this mission experience.  This talk better be worth it!"  😂She spoke a lot about her change of heart and her conversion.  She admitted to having a hard time getting along with companions but she learned to work with it.  She said how that skill will serve her in her future life.  She was grateful for her mission and that she stayed the whole time.  She didn't think she would make it.  She said it was the best thing she has done so far in her life, but she knows it won't be the only good thing she does in her life.  I'm proud of her.
• Grayson O'Very's wedding invitation came this week.  Lexi Roberts is having a baby boy.  Lindsey Steed also has a new baby boy. 
  
• Liberty Lighten's dad died this morning.  I think he finally lost the battle with Colon Cancer.  So sad.  We should pray for them.
  
• Sad:  I planned a summer cabin trip for my siblings/mom for early August.  They all agreed on the date (we planned it a few months ago).  I was hoping to help unify our family/build memories.  Little by little each of them have cancelled.  I'm really disappointed.  Grandma Charlene said she could still go, but it wouldn't be the same.  I just decided to cancel it all.  I wish my siblings would value family.
• Grandma Charlene has been very disappointed that everyone is too busy to come and visit her.  I don't blame her for being sad.  I know it isn't my responsibility to fix everything that's wrong, but I sure hear about it.  In my imperfect way I'm trying to listen and to love.  I'm frustrated and impatient most of the time. EEK!  I wish I could be better.  I know my mom deserves better than what I can give her.  Charity is a constant effort.
• Charmin' Charlies is going out of business!  😭 A bunch of boutique type stores have come in to buy their supplies.
  
• We are sending your last package this week.  There are some gifts for President and Sister Ribiero and a few small things for you too.  You should get it in a few weeks. 
  
• Barbra Palmer is trying to help us think of some nice pranks you can do on your mission.  My only concern is how these pranks might be received by your native companions.  Do they have the same type of humor? Will it distract from the work?  I trust your judgment and your fun. 
  
• Mari has a bunch of pranks planned for YOU.  That girl LOVES to joke!  She has your same laugh too!
• Uncle Matt and Lauren came over tonight to deliver a gift that we are sending you.  He was saying that 1000 new people move into Utah every week.  Many are coming here and can't explain why.  I've noticed that too.   The other day at Penny Ann's cafe I met a lady who moved here from New Jersey just because she felt like she should.  Matt said that the Orem mission said that this is all part of the Gathering if Israel.  It is more important than ever that we are praying for, and looking for ways to share the gospel.  Pray and Look! 
  

Keep up the great work!  You are doing so well.  I hope you feel so much joy and love all around you.

I love you!  Hoorah for Israel!

Mom

M,

I'm glad to hear things are going a bit better for you.  We peppered Kade with a few questions about Brazil and found he felt some bias towards Americans while in Brazil.  He has a few companions/members that struggled with him likely due to his Americaness.  We were in the temple for Erik's Endowment and asked him about it.  He gave a great statement that I have turned into a quote and it will be with me for a long time.  "We are commanded to love our enemies.  How can we love our enemies when we can't love our homies?"  Sounds like Kade doesn't it?  While we were in the Celestial Room he found some small women clumped together speaking Portuguese and wanted to try and talk the language with them.  He kept hovering waiting for them to notice him.  He looked like he was stalking them.  I offered to introduce him and he declined because he did not want to look like he was stalking them.  I introduced them and they were able to talk it up for a long time.  I can't see Kade without thinking of his experience of trying to tell the difference between his name and Portuguese for "where is".  He has had us smiling.  Sam Jesse just reported to the High Council.  He reminded me he met the family of one of your companions.  It sounds like you guys will have somethings to talk about.   

I'm sure Mom told you but Erik got his mission call to Scottsdale, Arizona.  He seemed relived.  With his dyslexia we were wondering how he would do if he went foreign.  He struggled reading his call and when he was done he mentioned how stressful it was.  We were planning to go to the cabin and decided not to.  We were glad we did as he opened the call on the 5th which was a Friday.  We were the only Aunt or uncle from either side to be there. 

Hyrum got a few new suits and looks sharp.  He is developing a style.  He picked out a few ties and made some of his own decisions.  He is working on his Eagle Project.  He will have it mostly completed in the next few months. 

We had Ryann Timm's Homecoming and Westin Gneiting's Farewell today.  Westin is very nervous a out leaving.  Ryann reported back to the High Council today also.  She seems to have changed some.  She kept talking about how she was surprised she went on a mission and was surprised she completed the mission.  She went on a mission because her Patriarchal blessing told her to.  It is always interesting to see the differences between new and returned missionaries.  I have been giving the letter I give to new missionaries hoping it will make a difference. 

We are plowing through the Summer like usual.  With all the camps out of the way we might be able to rest.  We still have a few projects for the house we hope to get to.  With no sports to prepare for we will have some free Saturdays to work with.

Keep working hard and trying your best.  It will be enough.  As I'm typing this the family broke out into massive wrestle.  Mom and Hyrum are attempting to leg wrestle when Mari jumped in and got her butt smacked.  Hyrum has called out Eve and beat her easily.  Eve being competitive she did not let this pass and it turned into a mess.  Mari is now choking Eve and Hyrum is using his farts as a defense.  Stay safer than these kids are.  You don't have much time left.  Make it count.

Love

Dad

Mosiah 4:3