8/18/19 - Family Letter to Emma

hi Emma

How are you doing ?

 I'm doing great!

 With rehearsals it has been REALLY crazy!!!

I addition for the hale center theater choir  with Sami !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School is  starting on Tuesday !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eat lots of bananas for me !!!

 love 

Dr. Llama

Hy Emma

School sadly starts this Tuesday,

and I can't wait for theater.

But the best thing to look forward to,

In order of appearance, are

Aug. 31st, You coming home,

and Hawaii! So, yeah! fun.

Can't wait for you!

Hyrum

Sweet Emma,

How was your week?  How are the trainings?  How are things going with your companion? 

Things are bittersweet for me right now.  I just found out that our Presidency will be released, possibly as early as next Sunday.  I'm feeling profound  sadness combined with no regrets.  It's an interesting mix.  I can't seem to stop crying, even though I know it's right.  We have had the most incredible journey.  Each year, for us, has been different than the previous, keeping things fun and interesting.  I have enjoyed being in Stake YW more than any other calling.  I have loved the ladies I served with, I have loved the sweet YW in all the Stake, and the special ward YW Presidencies, the Stake Priesthood leaders...all of them are my brothers and sisters.  I will miss all of them. I can't believe this is real.  We got to do Trek, Book of Mormon Youth Conference, Jordan River Temple Celebration, 2 Stake Girl's Camps, a whole lot of Ward Conferences, New Beginnings, and YW in Excellences, and Stake Dances.  I will miss it all so much!  I'm so thankful I got to be in at the same time as you and Eve.  I was hoping to be in with Mari too, but I know everything happens for a reason.

A tender mercy, Brother Horner called yesterday to ask if I would be his speaking companion in Riverton Farms Ward next week.  I know it's strange, but I really wanted a chance to speak in someone's sacrament meeting.  Little did I know it would be at the end of my turn.  Our topic is "Prayer".  I'm thankful I get to research that more in depth this week.    Dad is speaking in R13 on Sunday too.  He's been researching "prayer" for a few weeks now.  I'm glad our speaking assignments are at different times so I can hear him.

The kids start school this week.  Most are excited.  (Hyrum is not because he is nervous about taking such difficult classes this year).  I'm sure he will feel better once he is in his routine.  Dad gave us all our back-to-school blessings earlier today.  He said he wishes he could give you a blessing too.  Soon.  I hope you feel our love.

Mari had her Hale Center Broadway Children's Choir audition on Saturday.  She belted like a pro, caught her musical cues and loved every minute of it. She wore her lucky overalls with her bright yellow banana shirt and green bandana.  I think she stood out (at least with her clothes) because most everyone else was in calm, neutral fall school clothes.  Kelly DeHaun accompanied her and didn't hold anything back as Mari sang (he seemed to really enjoy banging on that piano!) Sami also auditioned.  Whatever happens, I'm glad she's having fun.

Hyrum got his braces off and a really nice haircut.  He is one handsome guy!  Eve has been bringing in the bucks from Scheels.  She got 100% on her secret shopper test (a first for Scheels).  She also got a few lucrative bonuses for being her friendly self.  Dad did well on his first interview.  He's been working so hard on many things.  We also have a few home projects we are trying to finish in time to welcome you home. 

I love you Emma.  I hope you have a wonderful week.  I can't wait to hear about your pranks, your service, your adventures.

💜Mom

M,

Mom shared with me your last call home where you talked about your last comp, the block on FB, and all that.  Here is my response: I'm crazy proud of you and the work you are doing.  You are awesome in what you do.  Your past companion had some seriously hostility towards you.  It does not reflect you or your efforts as a missionary.  You deserve better.  No wonder your work struggled when you were together.  I'm sure upon the transfer you felt like you could breath again.  I was reading a Conference talk from several years ago from an Elder from the Nordic countries ( His name was hard to pronounce and had umlaut over the "o"s).  It was about approaching the Throne of God.  He said that we can;t approach the Throne of God while we are feeling down about ourselves.  We need to approach with confidence in order to have the experiences we need to have.  If you lack confidence to shed whatever or whoever might be in the way of you recognizing your full potential.  Now that you have your great companion from Portugal you might be able to get back to where you need to be to finish strong.

Mom mentioned that she will be released soon.  She has known it was coming for sometime but it still hit her hard.  She has been very weepy since she found out.  We have a lot of changes happening all al once.  She has her last year of teaching at the Elementary, Eve Senior year, a few home improvement projects, ect.  I just got approval to have her speak with me as a companion speaker when I speak to the Wards of the Stake.  I was hoping to have her speak with me before she got released.  We are blessed that another High Councilor has asked her to speak next week.  We are both speaking on Prayer and have some good conversations leading up to our talk next week.  We are lucky that we speak at different times so we can support each other. 

We had Jaron and Jacob's Eagle Court of Honor tonight.  It went well and was brief.  They had the Eagle Brothers escort them to the Eagles Nest.  Alex, Kade, Adam and Ryan picked up Jaron and Jacob by their hands and feet and helped them "fly" to the nest with sound effects.  It was ridiculous and very Leverish. 

We had our blessing for the new school year and everyone seems ready.  Hyrum got his braces off and seems confident.  He is concerned about his work load.  He is taking a lot of Honors and an AP class.  Mari has a lot of friends going into her 6th grade year.  Eve is already missing her graduated friends.  Eve has a lot going on this year but we are feeling she can accomplish all that she is attempting to do.

Again, I can't say how proud I am of you.  You are doing great and I have no doubt you will finish feeling like you have done your best.  Do not run faster than you have strength.  You don't need to work yourself into a frazzle in order to accomplish what you are intended to do.  Remember you are supposed to be working hard and finding joy in what you are doing.  You are doing great work.  You can't help but be awesome.

Love ya kid

Dad

D&C 6:31