7/28/19 - Family Letter to Emma

Hey Emma!

So um...... nothings happened in forever.

I guess I kind-of joined a choir, and my stage crew gig is starting soon

Summers ending, And I hope your having

fun/success. I can't wait to see you home!

Love

Hyrum

Hi my name is Mari  i am 11years 4 months 1day old

I am practicing for my auditions for School House Rock and Hale Choir!!!!!

I am getting the bunk beds and cubical!!!!!!for the shout choir i sang acapella off key whoops

There is a new girl in the neighborhood her name is Elizabeth!!!! She is doing School House Rock too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

she and her family are really fun!!!

 any way have fun stay strong

11 years 4 months 1 day old 

Mari  

M,

It was great talking with you on Thursday.  IT was good to hear your Mission President is attempting to assist you and your companion.  It is exactly what I would be doing if I were there.  I'm curious who your new comp will be when you next transfer. 

We talked about most of what we had happened to me this last week.  We bought a new car.  It is the same car as the grey one I have just 10 years newer.  I was thinking about buying a used car for the kids to replace the green one but with a little more money I could buy a new car so we did.  It is still a Hyundai so not a high end car but the kids are treating it like it is.  I hate shopping for cars for this is an accomplishment.  It took Eve out for some Dad and Eve time.  We went a threw some axes.  She did well and it was fun.  We went early in the day and had the place to ourselves.  It was good to get some time with her.  We are planning to paint he front room.  Your Mom is thinking she wants a light blue paint and we are taking votes from the kids to see what we end up with.  We still have a few purchases to make.  We need a shed, we hope to replace the park strip, a few pieces of furniture we need to replace and all this while I'm attempting to change jobs at Fidelity that will lower our income.  I'm starting to visit with people who will be doing the hiring.  The hiring manager is someone your Mom knew from Elementary school and Jr High.  I knew him from my Stake growing up.  It was the Ward we constantly fought with.  The Director of this new department is a good friend of mine from many years ago.  I think I have a good shot of getting the job.  I'm hoping the lower pay is not too low.  We are crossing our fingers.  This job will provide much lower stress and a new challenge which I desperately need.

Love you kid.  You are doing great.  We could not be more proud of you.  Keep doing your best a great things will happen.

Love

Dad

Alma 32:27

Sweet Emma,

I'm so proud of you for getting your BYU application done.  Will you be needing any help submitting it?  It's due Aug 1 by 5pm.  Let me know.

Tonight Grandpops came over to give Hyrum some money for his Eagle Project.  He stayed for some Chocolate Zuchini Cake and a visit.  It was actually a really cool visit.  After some small-talk we asked "Alexis" to play some Cat Stevens (songs that he used to listen to when I was little).  For some reason, sitting there with him, listening to these songs brought back some strong memories.  I couldn't help the tears that came on strong.  I just sat there listening to the music and crying.  The music evoked tender thoughts of my former life...the good and the bad.  I started missing my dad, even though he was sitting right there.  So many wasted years and a family in shambles.  My tears somehow felt healing, like it was part of the process of getting over it.  As the mood lightened and the conversation shifted, somehow I got the courage to ask him if he would ever come back to church.  As before, he had so many excuses as to why he wouldn't.  All of his excuses were focused on what others did or didn't do for or to him, all in the past and all no longer important.  I felt the Spirit with me as was able to answer all of his excuses with love, reminding him that none of those things had anything to do with him and his relationship with the Savior.  We talked about all of the changes happening in the church.  He told me something I've never heard him say before- he said HE KNEW THE CHURCH WAS TRUE! but it held too many painful, unforgivable memories.  I told him that all the things in the past were not important.  I told him he had so much to contribute, with his friendly attitude and ability to make friends.  I told him that things were happening so quickly in the church and I didn't want him to miss out.  

The other kids also felt a change in the room when we were talking.  I KNOW he felt something.  At the very least, I think he felt my genuine love and concern for him.  I also think it gave him something to think about, at least I hope.   I want to thank you for serving a mission because thinking of you in Brazil, courageously doing things that were uncomfortable, gave me courage to face my dad. 

Mari and Hyrum's show rehearsals start this week.  I think they are excited.

Funny story about Mari and the BeatALS shout choir:  After seeing the BeatALS benefit concert, Hyrum decided he wanted to join the youth choir.  Since they rehearse at the Riverton City building, he can ride his bike to and from practices.  Mari decided to go with him to try it out.  At the first rehearsal, all the kids already knew the songs (they have been rehearsing all year) Hyrum and Mari did the best they could to follow along.  Mari decided to sing with the altos....until she noticed the director, Dave Martin, looking at her funny as he accompanied them on the piano.  She stopped singing with the altos and sang the melody instead.

After talking with Mari about her experience with the choir, she told me about Dave Martin's reaction to her singing.  I asked her what she was doing to get the "Stink-Eye" from the director.  She said she was just harmonizing. When I asked her what that meant, she said she was finding notes that sounded good with what everyone else was singing.  (Needless to say we had a quick lesson about how singing in a choir was different than a jam session....there are specific notes she has to sing to match what everyone else is singing....she can't pick her own notes).  She said she didn't want to go back to that choir.😂

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful week.  Please remember that you are very loved.  We are proud of you!

💜Mom