Hi Claire!
We hope you are happy, healthy, and love life. With so
many interesting things to do and see and learn, life should never be boring.
I’m always amazed when people say they are bored. If I start to feel that way,
I get out art supplies, sewing stuff, or computer to create something. Or I
take a trip to another place and time by reading a book. Or I take a walk or
play with my puppy. Or I ride my bike. Or I play chess with Papa. Or I make music. Or I read scriptures. Or I write a letter to someone I love. Life is good.
It is sooo fun to have a puppy. She is so smart and loves
to learn new tricks. Right now I’m working on down-stay. Because she gets so
excited, it’s hard for her. Since she really wants to please me, I’m sure
she’ll catch on before long. After I found a treat that she likes, training has become much easier. Smelling like some heavenly cookie, the treats are made
from blueberries, pumpkin, and oats. I’m not going to try one even though they
are enticing to Dash. She just goes crazy for them, and I’m already crazy
enough.
Now that you’ve been attending first grade for a while, I
hope you enjoy it. Do you like reading? Do you love writing perfect letters? Do
you like playing outside? Do you like painting and drawing? Do you like
learning math? Do you like singing? I bet you like them all. I teach 4 and
5-year-olds to read and write. Although I know you are all six, I imagine the
children to be you or Quinn or Gracie. The children get so excited, as they unlock
the secrets of phonics or write perfect letters. With sparkling eyes, they proclaim,
‘I did it.’ I imagine you are the same way.
Just yesterday one of the teachers asked me why I don’t work at the school full-time for money. Sure, it’s ok to do that, but I teach
children to serve. I love Him, want to serve Him, and want to be like Him. It
will be a long time before I can say I’m like Him; maybe forever. Nevertheless,
the more I serve, the more I love His children, and the more I understand His
ways. When we love and serve others, it helps us stop wallowing in our problems
and help others solve theirs. That’s why Jesus said. “He that findeth his life
shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew
10:39.
The coyotes are a real pain. I thought they were all
gone, because we haven’t seen them for a few weeks. Walking Dash the other
morning, I had to act fast. Dash growled. Turning to discover her problem, I
saw three of them stalking us. Quickly, I picked up the puppy and began
screaming at them. I also picked up a pretty large rock just in case. Although
it was easy to scare them off, I’m getting some pepper spray and a big
automatic umbrella. Still, we can’t get mad at a coyote for being a coyote.
Since our house is less than a mile from the river on one side, just over a
mile from the desert on the other side with a golf course full of rabbit
dinners and fresh water ponds, it’s more like I am the invader. I need to
adapt, which I’ll do with the spray and umbrella.
We sent B is for Betsy, part of a series
written for young girls many years ago. Since I’m not sure where you are in the
learning to read process, I’m not sure if you will be able to read it alone or not. For
sure you can co-read it with your mother or Oakley.
Either way, I know you’ll love it.
Every day, I pray for all my dear ones, that you will
discover a love of learning and a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. When it
is your turn to be grandchild of the week, I think and pray specifically for
you. I pray that you will learn the joys of obeying God and your parents. I
pray that you will love God and your neighbors. I pray that you will be safe,
secure, and sweet. I pray that you will never know hunger or need. I pray that
you will always love others and never be sneaky or untruthful. Always remember
you are a very special girl to us, to God, to your parents, and to many other
wonderful people. We love you.
