7/23/23

CAN'T WAIT to talk to you tomorrow!!!! And hear all about what Colombia is like!! It's late, but here are highlights of our week: ANNE GOT HER PERMIT!!! And she's been driving every chance she can! AND She is in the top pool for tennis tryouts (which looks like a great chance for making JV/Varsity); Tryouts are next week! I attended my first (zoom) Braver Angels meeting--a national organization trying to improve political dialogue--made up of members from both sides of the issues--love it so much. Had a quick visit w/ Maddie and Brian's family on their way up to Teton/Yellowstone park with the Stephen's family. (Matt just came home from Africa a few months early because of too many rounds of malaria, and Hayley just got engaged!, so they'll have a grand time all together!) Mildenhall Cousin Reunion at Camp Lomia Friday-Saturday was a BLAST! We got up there in Logan Canyon Friday afternoon with all of these cousins of mine I haven't seen in YEARS, and we shared fun memories of our Mildenhall grandparents, had a children's talent show, cousin Jake told the true story of the giant bear Old Ephraim as he sat right in front of the bear's portrait on our cabin wall, there were glow sticks and sling shot propellors and drones and games, and SO MUCH FOOD!! We had the lodge to sleep in, or a giant field, and the biggest group stayed right under the stars--it was just a piece of magic, and has made my soul happy all weekend. Seth said in his prayers that night, "Bless that we can stay here 8 nights because it is so fun." It was SO fun getting reacquainted EVEN THOUGH I left my duffel of clothes for me and Seth at home, AND my pillow, AND I left my keys in Dad's car without realizing until he had left Sat morning. AND there was no phone service, AND I was supposed to help manage a funeral luncheon that afternoon for Joan Argyle's friend. I felt horrible getting there later than I had planned, but there was still plenty of time, and it all worked out (though I'm sure Joan was stressed, as well as poor Jake trying to chase Brian down). It all worked out, but I really died when looking for the Little Caesar's coupon in my purse that night, I found a SPARE KEY to the van I could've used all along--no idea I even had it! Oh brother! Dylan spoke for his mission today--the sweetest thing as Livvie got choked up singing with him,--they love each other so much. Then Dave Parker spoke, getting emotional (which I've never seen!) talking about his Dad and the influence he had been in his life. I had talked in Ward Council about what strength there is in counseling together--that we come up with better ideas and revelation as we work together, and how much we really all need each other--not just our own good ideas. (a lot of what Braver Angels stands by too, that better solutions come from more voices). I got to hug Julie Harris--Brooklyn is getting married this week, and Brent, Breely, and Lily were read in as members of our ward, and my heart just kept expanding with HOW GOOD GOD IS to give us each other. Our connections to each other are everything, and make life SO RICH. The ties to cousins and children and parents, to pioneer relatives, to friends and neighbors--there is so much goodness, even though relationships were also the cause of most of my stress this week: letting Joan down (again!), family frustrations, fighting sisters, etc., etc.--the goodness MORE than outweighs all of it. I love that God works so much to GATHER and UNITE us "to have our hearts knit together in unity and in love" (Mosiah 18:21), and I see SO MUCH joy experiencing pieces of that. We had lots of leftover pulled pork from the reunion, so we had Gunderson's and Harris's for a DELIGHTFUL dinner tonight--just so much fun--especially since they have Zack in Colombia too! Love and pray for you so much! Love, Mom pictures of us cousins, all the cousin kids doing a rabbit tail hunt (Seth won a prize!), Seth playing with my Grandma's old blocks, the bear story, the mattress colony, and Anne's permit

7/16/23

Well, this week proved we don't have to go on Trek or head to Yellowstone for adventure! Starting with Monday!!! The hilarious emergency I told you about where at JUST the perfectly timed moment where the girls had to be to Girls Camp, the snacks and Jane had to be to Tennis Camp, Emily had to be to the Ogden train station, and I had to be back for presidency meeting. It would have been adventure enough lining it all up, and I DID get the first part of the morning going, with workout, breakfast, and shower in time to go get ALL the snacks & drinks for 50 girls for 4 days, and I got the girls dropped off at the church in time for Camp, but as I was making the next connection (where timing was SO crucial!!), the car battery DIED, and even the squished-in van with my having to hurdle 3 benches from the back door because it was so tight wouldn't jump the car (!?!), so I tried to think quick and just take the van, only to have the car LOCKED WITH MY PHONE, PURSE, AND TENNIS SNACKS trapped inside!!! Thank goodness for Emily keeping a cool head--we miraculously (since she had her phone and bags NOT in the car!) were able to get Jane and her friend to tennis camp, (and begged for help on getting emergency snacks from the asst coaches), got Emily to the train in time for work, only having to go one station further to get ahead of it, met Dad's secretary who could get him out of court and get his key (of course Monday is his court day where he is totally unavailable!), and got back in time to pick up Jane, unlock the dead car with Dad's key, and meet the tow truck (Emily had called roadside assistance while we drove) who WAS able to jump the car one last time so we could make it to the Auto parts store for a new battery--SCHWEW!!! I never made it to presidency meeting, but other than that, fairly few casualties for what was looking like a major disaster. The girls seemed to have a blast at Girls Camp, and since Jane & I felt sad about missing it, we took her friends for Happy Meals and dollar movies on Tuesday. I spent evenings visiting with sisters--one night with the DaBell's, where James wanted to cuddle with me the whole time in their shady backyard, sweet front porch heart sharing with Cindy, and in the yard with JoAnna--it is the best connecting with people. Picked up the girls from Girls Camp Wed morning (they were just at Earley Park close by), and Lucy started her first soccer tournament of this year with games Wed, Thurs, and Fri in Logan. Spent a lot of time getting the house, garage, and patio cleaned up Wed and Thurs, but I woke up SO tired on Friday, but got an early temple session in, then got a call from Brent wondering if they could move in with us for the school year! It was awesome timing that we had such an open weekend--we spent most of Saturday rearranging bedrooms and moving furniture so they could have space. So time for another adventure!! I had been praying to know of ways to have better discussions with the family and especially kids at home, conversations that are about serious things and spirituality, etc., and and not sure how to change things--and then as we were getting things situated yesterday, I thought how interesting the timing is. I never would have looked to having other people in the house to change the dynamic, but maybe God has more in mind than just a place to live, and I could see how a little influence from other people like Brent and Breely, who the girls look up to, could be an answer to my pleas. And YOU are set for the biggest adventure of all!--hoping the call looking for documentation of your blood type (?!!!??!) doesn't slow things down for your travels! The mission secretary said they've NEVER had to do that for a missionary to Columbia before?--what a wacky time! Hoping Anne can pass her permit test this week before she hits the 6 month mark (and would have to wait longer for her license!), and Mildenhall cousin reunion coming next weekend! Love you so much, Mom (ropes course pictures are from before, but just add feeling of adventure 😉)

7/9/23

Things I forgot last week: The doorknob (from the garage to the house) BROKE --as in, would NOT open--the DAY BEFORE WE LEFT (!!!) while I was trying to get packed. It only took me 3 hours to dismantle the whole knob, which didn't even work, then use a credit card to shimmy it open (NOT as easy as the movies make it look!), and then replace the doorknob. Schwew! -nice victory, but lousy timing! Also, SETH!! These were words coming out of his mouth all through our trip to Yellowstone: -I am just SOO HAPPY!! -I LOVE this day!!! This is the day we got to YELLOWSTONE!! -this juice tastes like HEAVEN!!! (Powerade Grandpa handed out as we left) -Mom, Is this a dream?? -This is my BEST DAY!! -(on hikes) This is an AMAZING ADVENTURE!! I love this age and his enthusiasm--it's especially helpful for balancing angsty teenage/9 yo days! He had more "BEST DAYS" with Thomas and Lily coming over for the 4th this week. We first had a fun firepit at Barfuss's Sunday night with corn hole, s'mores, ice cream, and funny stories--they are the best of people! Started the 493 loads of laundry Monday, before afternoon presidency meeting, and that night Maddie and Brian's family came over to spend the night. We woke up and had a red, white and blue crepes (the filling was colorful, not the crepes) breakfast w/ "Take your hat off" playing in the background, then decided last minute to try the Perry parade since it was at 11, and try a new splashpad park in Brigham City after that. The parade was blissfully SHORT AND cloudy with just enough candy/bouncy balls to make the kids happy! We drove over to the splash pad that I was sure would be packed, and HAD THE PLACE TO OURSELVES!! When we couldn't find a way to turn the water on, Dad happened to know the judge that lived across the street, and got his help finding the button. The water was so gushing, we called it our late "Old Faithful", and the kids had a blast while we had our little picnic. Poor Dad rolled his ankle right after we got home, playing basketball with Brent, and was pretty laid up the rest of the day, but otherwise, it was baby naps and games, and getting food ready for grilling burgers for dinner. Right before we ate, Joan invited us over to swim, and the big kids had the most fun there, playing some version of "King of the Mountain" on a swim board and taking littles down the slide. We came home to sparklers and just watched fireworks in the neighborhood, but the cute Cambodian familiy around the corner provided QUITE the show!!! It was amazing and so close!! Besides Dad's ankle, it was such a perfect day, which for all of the last minute plans, was a miracle in my book! Maddie's family left Wed after I had left for my cardiology checkup. Everything fine there, just always ends up a long day with travel/testing/etc. Thursday morning, I had a blast weeding at Doreen's with Cindy Parry, Stef K, and Kristan Hess, then Anne had dental and ortho appts getting her final teeth fixings done! I tried a few RS visits, and then that night we girls went to Logan for Oliver! WHICH WAS PHENOMENAL!!! This Cache Valley theater is SO GREAT!! Made me want to go every week!--& so many great themes about love, healthy relationships, and value--Jane was pretty drawn in with the orphan story and dark London conditions! Friday we had the funeral for Amy Rown's mom, so most of my day was there, getting tables set up, playing for a couple of songs, then helping with the dinner. I was nervous when I pulled a muscle in my back working out that morning, but we made it! It was a long day, but again, being with women in service is THEE MOST JOY!! We had to really stifle our laughter over embarrassing stories, etc., as the family came in. It was just so fun, and I was glad a couple of sisters who don't come out as much were there to help. Anne was making fun of her "elderly" parents as we left for date night, but we had fun watching the 3rd Guardians of the Galaxy. Yesterday was free Weber County activities, so we packed in Treehouse Museum in the morning, shopping around lunchtime, and the Dinosaur park before bringing pizza home for dinner (another best day for Seth!). Lots of fun times, and I keep thinking we're ALMOST ready to start our summer schedule! Had the best time gathering with Duncans (& McDonnell's) for Makeala's talk this morning. As the opening song started with "Dearest Children, God is Near You" that is EXACTLY what it felt like! I thought of G&G Skip and Prim on THEIR mission in AZ and all of the sweet fruits of their life gathered together like that. The funeral Friday was like that too. I LOVE funerals! No life or family is perfect--Amy vented about all of her family drama as they got everything ready, and I knew about difficulties between her and her mom, but STILL, the funeral was BEAUTIFUL because LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! I mean, it's a huge mix of good AND bad, messes and hurts, BUT taken overall it makes this great arc of SO MUCH BEAUTY from all that is learned and loved and created--there's just so much goodness to every life. I love being reminded of that perspective when the day to day gets dull or dreary. Met a sweet Peruvian family at Stacey's house this morning, also had family in Medellin! So excited for all your new adventures (imagine Seth with all this newness!) Love you, Love you, Mom