Weekly Email - 10/18/21
Well, it has been a week of wonderment. We took you to Eugene a week ago today at O Dark Thirty and haven't really heard from you since. Mom appreciated the quick call Monday evening to let us know you made it safely to Tijuana, but we've been at a loss for where you are, whom you're with, etc. In a way, your sisters set us up for an unrealistic expectation. We got a pic of them and their mission president almost as soon as they arrived in their mission and I guess we expected the same from you. No worries, but we are curious to see, hear from you and understand what is going on. So, do let us know.
Jenelle was sick almost as soon as we dropped you off in Eugene. I think it is a combination of lack of sleep, too much soccer activity, and being exposed to cousins who have different germs than us. She missed a few days of school and even went in to take her PSAT not fully healthy, ready or enthused to take it. They have had lots of soccer games and activities. This week, Zerrick has 4 games and I believe Jenelle has two – although her games are typically ½ playing time on JV and ½ playing time on Varsity. The both play Crescent Valley on Tuesday – which is unfortunate timing as we have our combined activity this week for YM/YW. We're doing an Escape room, and even though the YM are responsible for the activity, Mom has gone all out and put a ton of time and effort into this to make it fun for the kids. She found something on Pinterest that she printed, and we'll run two teams in separate rooms. It looks really fun and, as usual, Mom has killed it and has made this activity something to look forward to.
Mom, Jenelle and Zerrick went to the Stayton Ward today to hear Lane speak prior to him being set apart to start his mission tomorrow. Both of his parents spoke as well, and they said good messages were delivered – Lane even used a story from the missionary poem/story book Mom gave him.
In our ward, we had a few things happen that were kind of amusing. Arrangements were made to ensure there was sacrament bread and when Cedric arrived – 2 minutes prior to the meeting starting – he said he had not brought the bread. Good thing we had some in the freezer. I've been trying very hard to focus on worship and not on administering the meeting. And, I did pretty well today – so well in fact, that after the sacrament hymn, I bowed my head and focused on the prayer and really listened for the inspiration of the Spirit … and forgot to close out the video and audio prior to the sacrament prayer. I'll count it as a win for me, but I feel bad that I failed in some small way. President Marteeny was with us today and after I apologized, I told him he would need to release me for forgetting. He responded very quickly by telling me that the actual punishment for doing that was to double the time I was required to serve. Ha! Ha!
In the talks today, there was one thing that stood out to me and it has to do with truth and knowledge. Brother Fewless was discussing how much things had changed this past year – kids growing up, new faces in the ward, families' composition changing as children left for school or missions, etc. Change is something that is constant in our lives and we need to understand how to grow when we respond to change. Some of that response involves holding fast to eternal truths. He's felt called to repentance in that he hasn't been reading his scriptures like he should. I think we can all improve in that area. As he talked about looking for eternal truths, he asked us where we should look – social media, TV, radio talk shows? All of those places hold opinions and some degree of truth. But none of those places are reliable sources for eternal truth. The scriptures are that source. Our living prophet is that source. And you, as a representative of the Savior, are a vessel to bring that knowledge, those eternal truths, and the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people whom you serve.
I am proud of you, your siblings and in-laws for the wonderful testimonies you have and the great examples you are. I know that through your hard work, study and determination to serve the Lord in the way that he wants, you will become perfected in him. You will also be able to influence those around you and help teach them the gospel. I love you and hope you have a great week.
Love, Dad
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