8/11/19 - Family Letter to Emma

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

So do you remember Minecraft XBOX 360 edition?

Sammy told us to connect it to XBOX Live,

and when we did that, it updated completely!

We don't even know everything that's in there now.

I also took my school shopping day with mom,

and it only took 30 minutes with lunch!

How are you doing? We cant wait to have you back!

Love

Hyrum

I'M SO HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Callbacks went AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE LIST COMES TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Hale Choir addition is Saturday !!  do you have any advice???

love you lots

Mari

M,

Thanks again for the Father's Day shout out.  it is good to know that many nations celebrate Father's Day.  Is there anything unique about how they celebrate in Brazil?  We got the pictures of your new companion.  She seems nice and we look forward to hearing how you two get along.  Have you given your Mission Mom and Dad their painting or are you saving that until you leave?

We had Ethan over for dinner.  He has not been coming to Barlow family night.  his family went to Hawaii with the cousin and he decided he did not want to pay for the airplane ticket so he stayed home.  He asked for brisket which we have not yet mastered.  Your Mom did most of it ans it turned out really good. Ethan brought his girlfriend Terra and she was nice.  We attempted to show love for both of them, tattoos and all.  I thought I would say something about Ethan's church activity but I never got the prompting to say anything.  He seemed to be to be hurting some.  He did not have a glow about him.  He is very excited for you to come home.  Maybe you can make a difference in what challenges he is having. 

We completed the Triathlon yesterday.  Nobody ran it this year.  Eve was in St. George learning how to live with girls that have a different view on the world.  She was glad to be home.  Your Mom and I woke up very early and set up Transition 2.  We were so efficient this year that we set up with over an hour to go before we had anything to do.  We had so much help that your Mom went home to get Mari prepped for her call back for the play she is in.  After it was done we went to Mari's callback.  We were not in the room where she performed but could somewhat see her through some etched glass.  She was beaming.  Her face hurt from smiling when she was done.  The Triathlon takes a lot out of me and I require a few days to recover.  I hope I can get my head on right before my first round of interviews later this week. 

McKay Nelson gave his homecoming address today.  He did a great job.  Eve had 2 farewells today and struggled a bit as we recognized her friends are moving on.  It is always a rough transition but something we all get to do. 

We are excited to hear about your new comp and whatever training you get to do.  I'm confident when you are done here in a few weeks you will look back on your experience feeling you have given all you can.  Soak it all up kid.  You will have these memories forever.

Love

Dad

Mosiah 18: 8-10

Sweet Emma,

Thanks for the pictures on Sunday.  You look very happy.  We saw a real smile!  I can't wait to hear about your companion and how your new partnership is helping the people you're teaching.  We are still praying for your success.

I also want to hear about your prank war.  How has it been received?  Have you been pranked back?  I wonder what they think about crazy Americans.

Like Dad told you, McKay's homecoming was today.  He gave a great talk.  Last Wednesday we had a meeting at Delle's house and I got to talked to McKay.  He was asking how you were doing.  We talked a bit about your mission and his experiences.  His brother, Marshall, said what a great person you were even before you left.  He admires you a lot.  Marshall has been going to SLCC and working 2 jobs.  He's frustrated with his social life.  Delle is loving having her whole family back together.

Dalton is coming home really soon.  Mama Adams is so excited!  I guess I don't need to update you on all the latest because you probably see news on Facebook.  How is missionary work via social media working? Are you still having success?

Dad has been diligently preparing for his next High Council talk and for his interview.  He was so good about helping with the triathlon.  He is the most amazing man.  I love him so much!

We have missed having Eve around this week while she's been in St. George.  Hyrum and Mari missed teasing her.  I missed talking with her.   Talking and visiting has been the thing I've missed the most about having you away too.  It's been really great to talk to you on your P-days. 

Hyrum has been hanging out all summer.  I think he really likes to be home.  He is very helpful and kind.  He's a gentle soul. 

Great news, Mari made callbacks for School House Rock. You would've been proud of her.  They kept trying her in different combinations of people.  They had her sing new songs and read lines.  I watched through a little spot in the window and she was smiling the whole time.  Another girl was paired with Mari, Raylee.  Mari and Raylee became good friends.  When the audition was over they both came out excited to exchange phone numbers.  Raylee's mom and I had a fun surprise for them...they are 2nd cousings (Raylee's mom (Shantel) the neice of Keith and Christie).  Raylee is part of the Lever clan!  As soon as we told them they hugged and said, "I thought you looked familiar from the pool and the parades!"  They are both very fun personalities.  I hope they both get parts in the musical together.  I will send you Mari's monologue (I filmed it in the bathroom at Herriman City Hall).  We will find out if she got a part on Monday.  She is having fun no matter what happens.

Fun news about orchestra- I got a call from Salt Lake City Stars (the basketball team) and asked if the orchestra could come and do the national anthem for one of their games this season.  I accepted.  I invited the choir to join us.  It will be sometime in the spring.  SO FUN! This last year of orchestra will be fun.  It's interesting to think about this being my last year of orchestra.  I have enjoyed it so much but I KNOW it's time to move on.  I know that eventually there will be something else that I am supposed to do.  I don't know what that is yet, but I will know. eventually. 

I hope you have a marvelous week.  I am so proud of you!  I love you so much!

💜Mom