Helping my dad this week.

Feb. 28, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

Boy, did I ever think about you today. I went to the Eagle 6th ward today for their ward conference and there were two sister missionaries in there. They announced that this was going to be their last Sunday there, that they were getting transfered and Elders were coming in. They both bore their testimonies which was wonderful, but after the meeting I looked down and saw one of them just crying. Sisters from the ward were all with her. She was getting addresses, etc. I went up to talk with her and told her how you must have felt that same way just a couple weeks ago. The sister in this ward had been here for over 6 months and you could tell she had really grown close to everyone. She said she really didn’t like good-byes and I could sure see that. It just made me think of you and how you must have felt earlier. It was so tender to watch.

I enjoyed being back in the 6th ward even though it has really changed. Bishop Crosgrove gave a nice talk. Zach is getting married this weekend. He’s marrying Emma Douglas from Star. They used to be in our Stake before it split. You should see Blake Crosgrove now. He’s Nikki’s age and I used to have him in nursery. His hair is so long and floppy and he reminds me of Zach when Zach was younger. So funny to see it run in the family.

There’s some sad news from their ward too. Patriarch Sorensen passed away this week. Dad and I had just been to see him a couple weeks ago when he was in the hospital. He was just about to get released to go home after a long stay in rehab for a broken hip, when he got pneumonia again and this time he could not recover from it. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. Jean has been in contact with me the whole time and I really appreciated her phone calls. I called her in the morning after he passed and had a good talk with her. Looks like we won’t be here for his funeral which I’m so sad about. I told Jean I wanted to come over to her house after I get back and have her tell me all about his life and show me pictures. The 6th ward was very sad about his passing.

Dad and I are trying to pack for 80 degree weather. That’s going to be so weird. It’s been really nice here, but I think we’re going to sweat all week. haha I’m looking forward to just wearing my sandals everywhere all week though. 

Alex just called. Looks like he’s going down to California this week too. Two of his friends in the AdLab arranged interviews at an Ad firm in Santa Monica. Alex isn’t so sure he wants to work in California, but he’d like to interview and check it all out. So maybe we’ll get together with them while we’re down there.

We’re also planning on going out to dinner with Bill and Nancy and grandpa while we’re there. Bill and Nancy are back at their beachhouse. Can you believe that was just last year that we were there. Last year they stayed for 4 weeks. This year they’re staying for 6 weeks. Nancy would live there if she could.

Here’s a couple pics Kirk sent me this week. 

Addie at the Aquarium. Kirk took her one day and let Sarah have the day to herself.

How cute is she with her little pigtails!!!

How was your week? I bet you were busy. I can’t believe you are covering two wards and one of them is YSA. Usually those YSA wards are really busy and they tend to have more people to teach. I hope it’s that way for you.

How’s the leadership part of your calling going for you?  How are the sisters you are over? What kind of things do you do with them/for them? Just curious about your new calling.

You’ll be glad to know I finally finished Leah’s book and I’m so excited for it to get here. I hope she loves it. So I’m thinking I better get going with Nikki’s now so that I can finish it on time. 

Can’t wait to hear about your new area, the people, the wards, etc. Tell me who you’re teaching during the week and what your schedule is like. I made a new goal for my scripture reading. I’m trying something a little different. When I read straight through the Book of Mormon, I tend to forget most the stories, etc. I love it while I’m reading it, but it doesn’t stick with me with that method. So this time, I started read at the beginning of Mosiah, actually the last chapter of Mormon and read all the way to where Abinidi is killed and Alma takes off. Now I’m going back to where I started and reading through it again. I may do that two or three more times. The stories, the lives, the lessons learned are starting to become part of my thinking with this method. Repitition is always the key for me, so we’ll see how it goes. Just thought I’d change things up a bit.

Well, I better keep packing and getting things ready around here. I’ll take pics from SoCal so I can share them with you. Your example of serving and giving of yourself during your mission continues to be a source of peace and great joy for me. Sometimes when I need those feelings, I just sit back and picture you out working on your mission. It centers me and I love that. You and Addie both do that for me. 

Hope you have a week of tender mercies. I see them around me all the time. 

Love you more than you know,

Mom xxoo

Is it Spring?

Feb. 22, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

How fun that I got to see you having dinner with members in your new area twice this past week! Sounds like it might just be a wonderful ward when they’ve already had you for dinner and haven’t even met you at church yet. I love that. That text on Saturday night came at just the perfect time for me. I really needed that, so thank you!!

I can’t wait to hear all about your new area and new comp. 

Our week here was basically getting back into real life after our fun weekend away to Utah. The week went by fast since Monday was a holiday. The usual school and Taekwondo for Nikki stuff. I’m really hoping that Leah will try getting back into Taekwondo soon. She really needs to start doing something physical and pushing herself a bit. She’s basically been sitting around for 8 months now and it’s really taken a toll on her (and us, haha). 

Last week we met with her new counselor on Thursday night. I had heard such great things about him and I was very excited to see what he had to say. He was all that and more. What a character! Very smart, very crazy and also funny. Leah started out very quiet, not saying much, but near the end she was really opening up with him and it was just our consultation. She was very honest with him, which was great, but some things are kind of hard to hear. She doesn’t like being around groups of people very much, they “bug” her. Nikki “bugs” her, etc etc. She broke down and cried over some things, which the Dr said was very good because she was finally being very real. She even admitted to cutting herself when she is trying not to feel any emotional pain. We knew she was doing that, but it’s still hard to hear her saying it. (her cutting herself is why we started taking her to a psychiatrist in the first place). She said she’s trying to feel strong by doing it. The Dr. was great cuz he said he wasn’t there to judge her, nothing shocked him at all (he’s heard it all before) and he was so positive with her. That’s what she needs. For two days afterwards, Leah was so happy and even went with the Laurels to 

Leah has a lot of problems she needs to work on, but we’re making little steps forward all the time. It’s an illness she will have to work on her whole life, so we’re really trying hard to give her all the tools she will need in life and I’m so happy she’s willing to work on them too. The fact that she wants to actually meet with a counselor and take medication is a positive thing. 

So blessed to have a lot of people who keep coming into our lives not by coincidence who have helped me, helped Leah, Nikki, dad. I have learned where to turn for peace and hope my children will also learn where true peace can come from also. It doesn’t take away the adversity, but I know that I am never alone and that our Savior is aware of everyone, their struggles, their desires and will always be by your side if you let Him.

Enough of that, it’s just very heavy on my mind these days. Dad and I are looking forward to going to California next week to spend some time with my dad. The girls are going to stay with Sally. I’m so happy dad will be with me. I never like making these trips alone, it’s way more fun with my buddy. We don’t go until next Monday, but I’ll take lots of pictures while I’m in SoCal.

The weather has been beautiful here. I’m not sure we really got a winter this year. If so, it only lasted a couple days. Of course, now that I’ve said that, we’ll have a crazy March probably. haha

Nikki has turned into a very good student!! She has a goal to go to BYU Provo and is trying super hard to get straight A’s. Last semester, she got all A’s and a couple B’s so she’s really on track. I love seeing her have this goal and really working hard to get it. She’s not sure what she wants to do or major in, but she just wants to be at BYU. She checks her grades online pretty much every other day so that she doesn’t accidentally forget to turn something in or have anything slip. I love it.

Speaking of BYU, I’m going to call them again today. You did not defer before you left and I think you actually have to turn in a deferment now. I’m hoping they let you do that or else you will have to re-apply and get in that way. If I hear anything today, I’ll write you again and let you know. Are you thinking of something you want to major in there? Or are you just keeping it as an option? Either way, Provo will be a great place to go back to.

I got a new debit card for you in the mail, so be sure to send us your new address. I think it’s one of those new cards that has the new chip technology in it. I’ll try to make sure it’s actually a debit card first, cuz it says it’s your cashback college fund card. Don’t exactly know what that is, but it might be the name of the account we opened for you to get your debit card.

Yesterday at church, I got to see Kade Anderson for the first time. I guess he reported last week, but we weren’t there or maybe he reported while I was at a ward conference, but anyway, it was good to see him. He looks happy and pretty much the same. The Shavers in our ward (Iverson’s parents) left for their second mission to Fiji. They’re going to be working in the temple there and it was just rededicated, so they were able to be there for that.

We facetimed with Kirk and Sarah and Addie last night. I’m going to have Sarah send you an email of Addie showing a little sass. Sooo funny. She is really starting to talk now. We can’t really understand what she’s saying, but it sure sounds important. haha Then we face timed with Sean and Blair. Sean is still really busy at work and is having their grand opening of the place next week, so there are a lot of little details he’s working on now and Blair is only working two days a week at the Zoo at the ice skating rink, but she has a second interview at the Zoo next week for a job that she’s hoping to get. She’s realizing though that living in a big city means there are tons of other applicants for the same job, so she’s not so sure she’ll get it now. I hope she gets something, because it’s been hard for her being home so much. That’s why they got a cat….I don’t know if they’ve sent you a picture, but it’s named Scout and Blair loves having the company at home.

Savannah just finished with the Cougarettes big end of the year performance. She said they did great. So she just has one more thing with them….the big competition in Florida. She loves helping coach them and has also been earning good money choreographing dance teams. She even did one for BSU. She’s so talented.

Dad is working at the VA today. He’s working hard these next couple of months until we see how much we owe for taxes. He’s making “just in case” money. Then hopefully, he’ll be able to cut back a bit. We need to be able to spend a lot of time in Utah this summer with the new baby. :)

Last night Leah worked really hard on the T-shirt design for girls camp. The theme is Boot Camp, but she has to only work on it when Nikki can’t see cuz it’s all still a surprise, but since Leah is a YCL, she’s been going to the meetings, etc and I’m so happy that she is loving designing the T-shirt. I think they’re going to look great. 

Well, that’s about it around here. I’m finishing up Leah’s book (her 16th birthday book). Yes, I know it’s a tad late, but I’m almost done and so excited to get it here to give to her. Karli Moss has been helping me gather some pictures of her friends so I can include them in the book. And I can only work on it while she’s at school, so better get to work.

I hope your first week in Fairfield was wonderful and that you found your way around. :)  I love you so much and love Mondays when I get to hear from you. We’ve gotten one box that you mailed home so far. I was thinking you said there would be a couple of boxes. If so, maybe they will come today, but I’ll let you know. If there’s anything you need, let us know. We love sending you boxes!

Have a beautiful week!! Enjoy all the new people in your life. Relationships are what make life great.

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

ps. Remember to send your new address

90th Birthday Party!

Feb. 15, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

So how was your week? You say you're getting transferred so I bet you had a few days of good byes. I know you have made life long friends there and so many we'll miss having you in their ward.

We have had a fun time being in Utah this weekend, although we miss the sunshine of Eagle. There's an inversion here and it's just plain yucky. We've been having 60 degree weather in eagle and it's been nice, but it's still winter here.

So we got into town Friday night and of course we stopped at Kirk and Sarah's first where we had pizza and played with Addie. She's just the love of our life. Then we drove down to Provo and checked into the Steve Trumbo hotel. His new home is so beautiful and we love just staying in the basement. So Alex and Savannah

Also checked into the basement. There's four bedrooms down here. so Kirk and Sarah and Addie also joined us for the next two nights. So we've basically had a big sleepover party this weekend. That's the best part!

Steve and Carolina are actually in Hawaii, so we've had the place to ourselves.

Yesterday we all went to church with grandma and grandpa. Addie went into her nursery class, which she absolutely loves. Just the opposite of Kirk when he was little. Ha ha

Then we went to grandma and grandpa's and set up for her party. Charmaine ordered brownies, seven layer bars, chicken salad, croissants from BYU. I made BBQ beans. Sunday salad, strawberry spinach salad, dad's grape punch, chips and corn salsa, eclairs, kettle corn which Leah and Nikki made. Tons of good food, lots of people came and I know grandma was really happy. It meant a lot to her.

Everyone here says to say hi! Last night one of the cousins said your mission president is related to grandma Thompson's grandma Wright. I was trying to figure out the relation, but it got confusing. Haha

Today we're cleaning up the house getting ready to check out. If the girls help out without whining they get to pick the place for lunch. Yes, we still have to use bribery with them. Then after lunch we'll take off to eagle.

We missed you and Sean and Blair this weekend, but we also love even more that you're serving a mission.

I'm excited to hear about your new place, but I realize you haven't even gone there yet. So have a good transfer, enjoy the journey.  Remember how many people are praying for you. I love you VERY much!

Mom

Xoxo xoxo

If the letter is jumbled, sorry. I'm writing with everyone around me, watching Addie, etc so it's hard to concentrate. :)

Provo City Center Temple open house

Alex and Savannah just bought these shoes. They are a big hit!

Crazy Ward Party

Feb. 8, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

How has your week been? At our ward party on Saturday, which I’ll talk more about later, we sat with the Ray’s so she was showing me an email she got from her sister where she had mentioned you and the wonderful things your Stake President was saying about you, etc. It’s so fun to hear things randomly like that. She even had a picture of you and Sister Nelson.

The girls are off to school and it’s quiet here, so it’s a nice time to write. Church yesterday was wonderful. The testimonies were great, Sunday School was awesome (Bro. Riggs teaches now, Lauren’s dad) and Shannon Thompson gave a beautiful lesson in Relief Society. I needed all of them and I soaked it all in. Dad had to work, so that’s always a little harder on Sundays for me. So here’s the quote from RS that I just loved and it’s from Linda S. Reeve’s talk from Oct. 2015 conference:

"Understandably, many have expressed that our Father’s promised blessings are just “way too far away,” particularly when our lives are overflowing with challenges. But Amulek taught that “this life is the time … to prepare to meet God.” It is not the time to receive all of our blessings. President Packer explained, “‘And they all lived happily ever after’ is never written into the second act. That line belongs in the third act, when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right.” However, a vision of our Father’s incredible promised blessings must be the central focus before our eyes every day—as well as an awareness “of the multitude of his tender mercies”10 that we experience on a daily basis.

Sisters, I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, “Was that all that was required?” I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter, dear sisters, what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?”

That was powerful to me yesterday and it really helped me later on when Leah had a meltdown. It takes so much energy on my part to help her, to know what to say, etc and sometimes this trial feels overwhelming, but the last line of that quote kept popping in my head and helped me keep going.(now I’m crying..) Anyway, that’s why it’s so important to be at church each week, to be in the right places at the right times with the right people. It puts oil in your lamp to keep going and thoughts in your mind as the spirit reminds you of what you know.

Okay, now on to the other crazy things…our ward party last week was so funny. It started out just like most other adult dinners. Each table had a host and a theme, holiday theme. Ours was Easter and Sheila and Scott Hansen were the hosts. Sis. Huckvale decorated most of the table and it was beautiful. We had to wear bunny ears all night though, haha. Then the food we had all had a chocolate theme to it. Our salads had a light dressing with another chocolate ganache dressing over the top. It actually tasted soooo good. Then our chicken and potatoes had a chocolate gravy on top, again, very tasty. Then for dessert we had chocolate mousse. The dressing and gravy were firsts for me. Sheila had made them. Everyone else’s tables were decorated so cute-New Year, Christmas, 4th of July, Mardi Gras, Halloween, Valentines, Birthday. Then each table had to have an activity which should involve most everyone. Ours was the Bunny Hop dance. So there we were with a long line of people all dancing the Bunny Hop. It seemed like it went on forever, all that hopping on a full stomach. Nothing like a little aerobic activity after a big meal. Christmas table had us all sing a Christmas song of our choice and they would judge our performance and the winners got a tray of brownies. We won!! Woohoo. We sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, including the first part with all their names. We tried to be very animated. I guess it worked.

Then the birthday table had a water balloon toss. Bro. Mecham was leading the way but unbeknownst to him, the line of people had all agreed to throw the balloons at him on the third toss. And I mean they really threw them hard. Balloons and water went everywhere. then some balloons didn’t break, so people picked them up and starting throwing them across the room. It was like the men turned back into scouts again. haha Then someone threw one near the Christmas table and it broke one of Sis. Brown’s nice goblets. The glass went shattering on the ground. BUT, did that stop the throwing, NO. Then one came flying across the room towards me. I started to duck, but it glanced off a man who was at the next table, that broke the balloon and the water came flying out towards me. I was laughing and couldn’t believe how funny it all seemed. Then one table had us to the Hungry Hungry Hippos with people where your spouse lays down on a wheeled crate thing, balloons in the middle of the room and you have a laundry basket to gather as many balloons, then your spouse pushes you to the middle to gather and then pulls you back to empty them out. So funny. We took videos of Debbie and Tom and sent them to Sean and Blair. We also played name that tune-TV tunes from the 60’s and 70’s. Then they had a big TV screen, a video camera and one man in the middle with a flashlight. They turned out all the lights and said when the flashlight was on you, we were having a kissing cam. I know you’ll say yuck, but Bro. Mecham came up to us afterwards and said we were the most passionate couple. hahahaha Some people just gave a peck kiss, but no, not dad of course. That’s what I love about him that he’s still so passionate with me after all these years. I’m a lucky girl.

Anyway, as the night went on, it just got wilder and wilder and the next day at church, of course, some of the testimonies had funny comments about the ward party.

At first, we weren’t even sure if we’d make the party because yesterday afternoon we took the girls to see the Piano Guys at the Morrison Center. It was part of their Christmas present. It was a great concert and the girls loved it. Nikki just had to buy a signed poster afterwards and Leah had have a T-shirt. It was good music and very entertaining too. We have one of their CD’s, but I’m sure we’re going to be downloading lots more of their songs now.

The girls got your cute little letters this week. Nikki got hers first, so we thought you just sent something to her. Then Leah got hers the next day but it was in a plastic bag that the Post Office had put it in. I guess because it was so small that they had a hard time stamping it and you could tell. But they both made it!! Such a cute idea. Of course, Nikki is totally into folding paper, so she wants to make a lot of them.

This Friday we’re taking off to Utah to go celebrate Grandma Thompson’s 90th birthday. We’re staying at Stave and Carolina’s, but they’re not going to be there. So next week I’ll write you from Utah and send you lots of love from the family there.

Dad wants to know if you could hear the cheering from the Super Bowl from your place! People around here were pretty much for the Broncos so they are happy.

Also on Saturday Nikki went for her red belt testing. She passed and did a great job. Now she’s at the same belt as Leah and Leah still is not well enough to keep up with Taekwondo and she’s really frustrated about that. I feel so bad for her because she’s the one who really loved it. Nikki doesn’t really care if she gets a black belt or not, but Leah really wanted it. Sometimes the consequences of our decisions really mess up our lives. I hope Leah will be patient enough and still want to go back when her leg finally heals. She tried going back a couple weeks ago, but she said it hurt too bad. We’ll try again later I guess.

Can’t wait to hear from you today. I hope your week was wonderful and that you had lots of opportunities to share your testimony. Thank you for your sweet and powerful example to all of us!

Have a great week.

Love you,

Mom xxoo