a little bit of heaven

Hi Quinn,

So, you’re the birthday boy this week. I can’t believe you are seven-years-old! Well, that means it’s time for me to give you the seven-year-old challenge that I’ve given all your cousins. Some have taken it; others haven’t. The ones that did it can tell you it was a great experience.

Basically, the seven-year-old challenge asks you to listen to an audio recording for ten minutes, reading along with the narrator in your own Book of Mormon. Quinn, I know you are young, but gaining a testimony of God's will change your life. Each and every time you read it; it will change your life. You and I have the ultimate goal of eternal life with our Heavenly Father and Jesus. For this to become reality, it is vital to make choices throughout our lives that will lead us to this great goal. Reading scriptures daily is one of these important choices, because it allows the Holy Ghost to teach us our very own personal plan designed by Heavenly Father. We also learn about another choice; keeping the commandments. When we keep the commandments, our lives are happier and less difficult. Of course, we will still have problems, but they will be easier to handle with God’s help. His help is one of the blessings of keeping the commandments.

Another benefit of this listening and reading is improved reading skills. While reading the greatest and most correct book on earth, you can’t help but increase vocabulary, word attack skills, and comprehension. Good readers are smart people. And as you know, it is fun to be smart.

Yes, accomplishing this challenge requires some pretty grown up actions. Each day as you go to sleep or sit at the breakfast table, you can remember to turn on the narrator and follow along in your book. Ten minutes is such a short time or about as long as takes to eat a bowl of cereal.

You may wonder how I got this idea. The first time I got through the whole Bible, I listened to a great Shakespearian actor read it. It came to life for me. Another time I listened to the Book of Mormon. This year I’m listening to the Book of Mormon in the mornings and the Bible at night. Sure I can and do read without listening, but somehow listening is like an angel reading them to me or a little bit of heaven in my room.

Don’t worry if you can’t understand everything the first time through. I’ve read the scriptures many, many times and still learn new things every day. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, learning here a little and there a little.

It’s so funny; one lady I told about the seven-year-old challenge asked what’s the prize for finishing. She wanted to know what sort of accountability system we used. When she asked, I thought she was kidding; she wasn’t. This question boggled my mind. The reward is a testimony of the gospel and the scriptures as well as personal satisfaction for finishing a big goal. The accountability is learning to keep your word to yourself. Just like most of life, you can choose good or not, be happy or not, be contentious or not, be honest or not, be loyal or not, be studious or not. You get the idea.

We also sent Thornton Burgess Animal Stories set that Uncle Spencer enjoyed around your age. He liked them, because they are silly stories about animals and nature. When he was a little boy, we spent one day a week hiking mountain trails or walking along the seashore. We took our sketchbooks and drew all sorts of things; I guess you can say we both love nature.

Finally, we sent a set of Minecraft Legos, which we hope you don’t already have. We sent it to Tyson, who said it was one of his favorite birthday gifts.

Dash got a puppy tooth pulled the other day. It was infected and stunk like crazy. Once it was out, she stopped stinking. Plus, she has all sorts of energy that she never had before. I guess it was making her sick. Anyway, she’s pretty silly and crazy now. She climbs on the back of the couch to look out the window, because there are no low windows or sliding glass doors in this cottage.

I forgot how much I love the NW. Although the sunny skies of the dessert are nice, I actually enjoy the rain more. What is wrong with me!!??!! We drive north and a huge lake is ever so close. We drive west and the Pacific Ocean greets us. We drive southeast and little lakes dot the land. Water is so pleasing and peaceful. Maybe the difference is this little cottage. While it is only 350 square feet, it is fairly bright. Plus, and this is a big one, the floor is heated by circulating hot water. It doesn’t feel bone chilling cold. Dash and I love to walk at the park just a couple doors down. It’s so nice that I wish I could transplant it to an acre further out in the country and live there forever.

Well, Quinn, please, don’t forget that we love you, your parents love you, Heavenly Father loves you, and Jesus loves you. That’s a lot of love. Because things will go wrong and you will have problems it is very important to always remember this love. We are on your side. We want you to succeed. Choose to be happy, obedient, gentle, loyal, kind, and good. Think before you speak or react to others. Refuse to let other people ‘make you mad.’

it's so worth it

Hi Cole!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that winter is all you want it to be. Me? I like winters to be sunny and sixty, but I realize others actually do enjoy snow. This boggles my mind.

Remember back when you were seven, I challenged you to read the Book of Mormon before your baptism? I’d like to challenge you to read it again this year. I found a great study journal for youngsters, which we are sending along this time. Actually, I went through it last year and enjoyed it. I’ve found using a study aide or journal during daily devotions keeps me on track and sort of accountable to myself. Besides daily personal prayer, nothing helps my desire to be like Jesus more than constant feasting upon His words found in the Bible and Book of Mormon. Like Nephi, I feel ten feet tall; I have courage and confidence to go and do God’s will and my own will aside. It’s just easier to choose the right. Only you can choose a prayerful, devoted life and relationship with God. I hope you do.

The book we’re sending is the second in a trilogy. Yes, the second. Why? Well, the first one is in the voice of a girl. If you like the second one enough, you might go back and read the first. I liked them both but didn’t see you reading past the first few pages of the first one about a girl. So…I hope you love this as much as I did. I sent Sammy another one by this author called Fever. Both Sammy and Aunt Emily LOVED the book, although it made them cry on several occasions. Sammy even said, ‘Grammy shouldn’t have sent me this book. I’m too young for this.’ In the end, she was glad she read it. I sure wish I knew what sort of books you like best.

Well, my whole life is taking a different direction than I imagined only weeks ago. I teach reading and handwriting to a class of 3-6 year olds in a Montessori school; I love it. While Papa goes up North for tax season, I fully intended to stay here and continue teaching, rationalizing the short time apart. Once again God has other plans for me. I won’t go into details, but He let me know in no uncertain terms that my place is with Papa. Although I love him dearly, teaching has been delightfully fulfilling. Sigh… ‘I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded [with a smile on my face and a song in my heart], for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.’

Another thing I’ll have to give up is my new Bear den, this being the fourth time I was called to lead a den. I love scouting as much as teaching, but that’s not why I bring this up. I had a serendipitous teaching moment during cubs last week. For part of our Christmas party, we went to a gingerbread house display. Everyone enjoyed it. In the car on the way home, we all talked about our various Christmas traditions. One boy grew from quiet to sullen until he finally said. 'I hate it when people talk about things I don't know anything about. I get so jealous.' For a split second, I didn’t know what to say. After pleading with the Spirit for the right words, I was given insight well beyond my capacity. I explained the jealousy was a form of the sin envy, which Heavenly Father commanded us against. Further, I pointed out that everyone has some cool stuff in their lives; we shouldn't get angry or jealous because others have different cool stuff from us. 'Be happy for them, and be happy for yourself.' After this little inspiration, I asked him to tell us the cool stuff his family did at Christmas. Visibly happier, he told us of traveling to snow country each year to play and pajamas on Christmas Eve and several other things.

What cool stuff is in your life? What interesting things do you do? Are school studies still on the top of this list? Have you been sledding? Do you still swim often? Who are your true friends?

Dash hates the lack of freedom since we had to take out the dog door. Still, we have lots of fun; she likes ‘hide and seek’ as well as fetch. One of us holds her in the office, while the other hides behind a door somewhere and whistles. She trots down the hall looking until she finds the hider. Then the hider runs away with her chasing. It’s never a good idea to make a dog running away into a game, but the other way around is fun for everyone. As Papa would say, ‘It’s a gas.’ When she plays fetch, I throw her ball in the kitchen, she catches it and puts it back in my hand for another go. We really love having this little dog.

So, Papa and I married 34 years ago this December 30. Never in our marriage have we spent Christmas without children until this year. Worrying that it would be depressing and lonely, I amazed even myself with the quiet pleasures of an empty nest. Sure, we would have loved hosting any or all of our children and grandchildren, but it wasn’t as I dreaded. We ate green corn and blue corn calabacitas tamales; tamales are a SouthWest Christmas tradition. Green corn just means sweet corn with green chilies in regular yellow masa—not Martian tamales. However, blue corn actually is purple-blue; it’s quite delicious despite the odd color. We enjoyed the warm weather, compared to the rest of the country. Since neither of us needs anything, we gave each other useful or silly gifts. I gave Papa dishtowels, tennis shoes, and t-shirt with T-Rex trying to do push-ups on little, bitty arms. He gave me a computer cover and two sets of winter jammies. We watched a favorite old movie, Catch Me if You Can; we like the dish scene. Finally, we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and listened to carols. It was stress-free and even fun.

Hopefully, you will like the magazine when it comes. When my children were small, they loved National Geographic World, which we hope is similar to the NG mag we sent. Because we send you and your cousins gifts and cards all year long, we go a bit easy with Christmas. 

Don't forget we love you, as do your parents, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. Read your scriptures and pray. Obey your parents. Run from sinful, rebellious 'friends.' Choose true friends that encourage you to stick to gospel virtues and values. Be good, loyal, and nice. Study hard. Be patient with God's will and timing. It is so worth it.

 LYL! P and G 

absolutely glorious autumn

Hi T!

We hope you are happy, healthy, and have a terrific time in school this year. We also wonder what you have been doing lately. Has it snowed yet this year? Are you still in Karate lessons? Have you begun piano lessons yet? We just don’t know. However, we do know we love you.

The desert is wonderful this time of year. Although we had a couple chilly days because of rain, it is mostly sunny and warm. No, it’s not hot at all anymore. When we lived in near you, we spent most of the cold winter indoors. That’s what we do in the summer here. Your place has a very long, snowy winter that lasts about 7 months. Our new place has about 3 months when it is just two hot to do outdoor things and 2ish more months of summer. Then we have 3 months of spring and 3 months of fall that are absolutely glorious. Scattered around we have about 2 weeks of winter, which is really more like your spring.

People ask if we miss the seasons. I can’t say I miss winter at all, especially slipping on ice and shoveling snow. Once Papa, Spencer, and I were out on a sunny, winter day in cold country. I slipped on a patch of ice and came down right on my head. I looked just like a cartoon person, whose legs flipped up to the sky. Maybe it was funny, but it hurt like crazy. After that I was always afraid to go outside. Even so I slipped quite a few more times. Some people really like snow for skiing and sledding. Maybe you do.

At the school where I work, one large 5-year-old is a big bully. His specialty is pushing the littlest children around with his big, fat belly. Although I like him quite a bit, I don’t let him get away with bullying other children. I caught him in the act the other day and talked to him about pushing. Afterward he was sent to apologize. The little, skinny boy he bullied wanted nothing to do with the big bully coming near him. Instead of cowering and running away like he has done in the past, he did the most beautiful sidekick I’ve ever seen a child do. He didn’t make contact, but the bully realized he was dealing with someone unafraid to stand up for himself. No, I don’t condone violence. However, I was pleased to see the former doormat gain confidence. In the end, we required both boys to apologize and verbalize their errors in behavior. Secretly, I cheered for my sweet, skinny friend.

Defending one’s self and gaining confidence is the beauty and true purpose of martial arts. That’s why I like it so much. If you are taught martial arts properly, you learn to avoid conflict and use non-violent conflict resolution until there is no other alternative. I think that’s what God requires of us as well. I’m pretty sure He doesn’t condone war unless we are protecting our homes, families, neighbors, liberty, or country. Other people disagree with this. Some day you’ll have to search the scriptures, read, ponder, and listen to inspiration on this and other topics, so you can know for yourself.

There are two girls in my class that read around the third grade level as well as multiply, square, and cube. I thought they were both kindergarteners. Last week I discovered they are both mature acting four-year-olds. I also work with a boy I believed was a mature acting kindergartener, who reads about the first grade level and adds four digits with carrying over. He is only 3.5. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are smarter or better than other children. They simply learn language and math easily. Some very intelligent people struggle with learning these things.

For instance, Albert Einstein’s school expelled him permanently. They told his mother he was unteachable, unable to learn anything. His mother took him home, taught him to play the violin, taught him school stuff, and let him loose with whatever projects caught his fancy. Later the world discovered his genius. Because he saw the world in a way that ordinary smart people didn’t, he discovered amazing scientific things about the universe. Usually, the people that discover and create genius things don’t fit in at school or don’t learn as other children.

I don’t know if you are like the quick learners at my school, like Albert Einstein, or somewhere in between. It really doesn’t matter as long as you live up to all the potential and talents Heavenly Father gave you and will bless you with in the future. Have you discovered any of your talents yet?

Like every other time it's your turn to be grandchild-of-the-week, we sent you a new book. Because both Uncle Spencer and Uncle Jason loved castles and nights and swords at your age, we decided to send a book of Arthurian legend. Probably, you will be able to read it with a stronger reader. Maybe you can read it alone. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use it as a read-aloud. However the story is digested, we hope you enjoy your journey into Arthur's world.

Did you hear about the Hawk and his mate who were stalking my little Dash dog? Well, she isn’t allowed to go outside without me anymore. After all she would make a pretty expensive lunch. Plus, I would be very sad if some predator ate her. We are going to build a covered dog run on the side of the house, where I planted apple trees.

The apple trees aren’t the kind that gets fifteen feet high. Instead they are espalier; this means they are dwarf sized and trained to grow against the wall. I also am planting lots of moringa trees and asparagus plants in that area. In this place, we have to provide shade for fruit trees. I didn’t understand that when I planted the apples, so one died this summer. Thankfully, moringa grow very fast, so they will do the job quite nicely next summer. I also can’t wait to harvest our own asparagus; it’s my favorite vegetable. Do you like asparagus? If you don’t, I think you are crazy!

Well, T boy, we will pray especially for you this week. Yes, we pray for you all the time, but this week it's different. We pray that you will be safe, secure, loyal, teachable, kind, cheerful, obedient, friendly, and full of joy, faith, hope, and charity. Please, don't forget that we love you; people need all the love they can get.

Maybe it's kind of crazy of me to keep sending these letters, since I don't know if you even read them. For now, I feel inspired by the Holy Ghost to continue sending books and letters. It's fun for me to imagine you and I having a little chat right here at my kitchen table. I try to recall my problems, hopes, and joys as an 8-year-old child. Maybe some of mine were like yours today. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoy sending them. Plus, I will always follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I know too well the consequences of ignoring promptings and will never do so again.

autumn reward

Hi O!

We hope you are happy, healthy, and having a lovely November. We love October and November in the desert. After scorching hot days of summer, the warm days of Autumn are the reward. My grandma always used to say this part of the country has three months of spring, six months of summer, three months of autumn, and about two weeks of winter. The winter is more like fall in where you live. Most years there isn’t even one day of frost. And really the super hot summer is more like two and a half months. Some people say they could never stand the heat here. Yes, it’s horrible hot, but to me it’s not as difficult as freezing cold. I’ve not yet slipped on or shoveled sunshine. Like cold weather in where you live, we mostly stay inside during the big heat.

One of my apple trees died during the heat this summer. Talking to other gardeners I learned that unlike cooler places, fruit trees need dappled shade around here. One tree I really like for dappled shade is moringa. It grows like crazy here and needs very little water. The best part of moringa is it’s highly nutritious, edible qualities. The leaves are pretty tasty when put in soup like spinach or cabbage; they are not too bad in smoothies either. The seedpods taste similar to asparagus and can be used the same way. Where everything else quits growing in the heat, moringa grows like crazy. In the Philippines and India, people have used these vegetables for centuries. In places were children are dying of malnutrition like Africa and South America, moringa is now being harvested to eat with grain, curing and helping them grown strong and tall. Even though I already had four of them in the yard, I planted several more for shade and vegetables.

It’s so silly how I write and write, having no idea if you even read these letters. That’s ok. I write because I love you and because I feel inspired to do so by the Holy Ghost. One time I didn’t listen to a prompting, sort of arguing that my position was right. Disaster resulted. Now, no matter if the prompting makes sense to me or not, I do it. Writing to you and the other Grands makes sense and is fun, too. As I write, I imagine you sitting next to me at my breakfast table. I remember my interests, success, and problems at your age; we have a nice conversation.

When I was eight, I struggled for the first time in school. Before then everything was so easy. Cursive writing was added to the curriculum. Now I know I struggled, because I never learned to hold the pencil correctly. Third grade was also the year of multiplication memorization. Because neither of my parents cared anything about education, they didn’t help me memorize math facts or master penmanship or anything else. Lots of parents were like this in the 1970s.

Back then I just knew I was stupid, but that wasn’t really true. Since nobody ever asked about it, I just didn’t do my homework. A few years later, I met a girl with a scholarship to BYU. Star struck, I stated that she must be very smart. Confused by my comments, she said, ‘No, I just did my homework.’ By then it was too late for me to get that all-important, college scholarship, but it wasn’t too late to get an education. Since then I have read and read and read. Did you know you might learn anything about anything if you can read? What do you want to know about?

For your grandchild-of-the-week book, I’m sending a Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport. Aunt Emily loved reading these mysteries at your age. Hopefully, you will, too. I couldn’t get it on Amazon Prime, so it will get there in a week or so. I hope you like to read as much as me. There is nothing like a good story to transport one to another time and place. It’s the safest form of adventure known to man.

Well, we had a little problem with hawks hunting Dash. I sent a picture to your mom of a red-shouldered hawk sitting on our fence and staring at Dash. After I hurried her into the house, I went back out to take pictures. Then I heard another hawk call from the tree above the fence. Their calls sound like a loud scream, which is pretty unsettling. As the lifted off and soared above the house, I thrilled over the beautiful sight. I also vowed that Dash would not go out of the house by herself until we build a covered dog run. She doesn’t like being cooped-up, but I have a feeling she would like being dinner to a hawk or coyote even less.

It’s finally cool enough to ride my bike again. Since the school is pretty close, only 3.5 miles away, I plan to ride to and from school. At least I’m going to give it a try this week. Not only will I get some good exercise, but I’ll remove a bit of pollution from the air. We’ll see.

Instead of celebrating Halloween, our school celebrates United Nations day. Children and teachers dressed up from a country of their origin. As they sang it’s a small world, the children adorably paraded around the grounds and lined up to sing a few other songs for their parents. Afterwards, there was a huge pot-luck luncheon with food from India, Africa, several Asian islands, several European countries, and even Native America.

It was really hard for me to decide which of my ancestry lines to represent. After I narrowed it down to Native American or Scottish, I chose the latter. I wore a Royal Stuart kilt, as my 13^th great-grandmother was Mary Stuart and my 14^th great-grandfather on another line was James II Stuart; both are on my mother's side. If I still participate next year, I’m going to dress Native American for Chickasaw Squirrel Chief King and Powhatan Chief Morning Ripple.

It’s so fun to name drop our ancestors, but really our ancestry has nothing to do with our success or lack thereof. Sure, we love our predecessors and are influenced by or experiences, environment, DNA, and family traditions. However, God gave us free-agency, making us responsible for our own choices and actions. Rationalizing misbehavior or thinking we are better than others because of our ancestry is preposterous. “While you are free to choose your course of action, you are not free to choose the consequences. Whether for good or bad, consequences follow as a natural result of the choices you make,” For the Strength of Youth. Satan’s whole goal is to trick us into making choices that restrict freedom, develop bad habits and addictions, and reduce our ability to resist his temptations. We are so blessed to have the gospel is to teach us about choices and consequences.

As our grandchild-of-the-week, we pray that God will inspire you to make choices that lead to great faith, meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, excellent health, and true joy. We pray that He will keep you safe and secure that you may grow into a fine young woman. We love you very much; please don't ever forget this. LYLPAG

never through

Hi!

I hope things are going well for you lately. I sure do miss your smile and fun sense of humor. Is fourth grade fun? The best thing that happened to me in fourth grade was violin lessons. Although school was easy for me, music lessons made it joyful. Back then I had a real talent for making people mad; after these events, I was always so perplexed. What did I do that made the person offended? I still am very talented this way. Sooo…as I was saying, playing the violin became a beloved and joyful diversion just as drawing and reading became as time went on.

Last week our Montessori school studied Ireland a bit. Really, how much can a 3-6 year old learn about Ireland in the few minutes during circle that we discussed it? The head teacher asked me to play some Irish dance music the next day. I went home and looked up some pieces on the internet. After trying them out, I realized I no longer have the dexterity to play fast tunes. Bummer…So I looked up a ballad, Danny Boy. After practicing a few times, I had it down fairly well…or so I thought. Even though I played it abominably the next day, the children had no clue. One boy even said, ‘I love it; it’s so peaceful.’ After all these years, playing my violin is still beloved and still joyful even if I play a bit stiffly. All week the children were called to lunch with a recording of Danny Boy. At least this beautiful bit of Irish history and culture is part of their knowledge bank.

Another memorable part of fourth grade was my teacher. Like I said, I wasn’t much of a social success with my peers, but my teacher made no secret that she loved me. In fact she doted on me. Hmmmm…maybe that’s why my classmates didn’t like me. Who knows? Anyway, the impression this woman left on me made my heart grow. I felt a little less small inside and stood a little taller outside. I think this is why Jesus teaches us to love and serve one another.

Last week we saw a thrilling dramatic movie, Bridge of Spies. Usually, I am not a spy movie girl, but the leading actor is a favorite of mine; I made an exception and agreed to go with Papa. Anyway, one character in the movie was in a lot of trouble, because he was caught being a spy. The lawyer asked, ‘Don’t you ever worry?’ The spy answered, ‘Would it help?’ This is going to be my new mantra.

Usually, I’m pretty dramatic even though I try hard to be level headed. If I find myself offended or worried or any other dramatic emotion, I’m going to stop and ask myself, ‘Would (or does) it help?’ Likely, the answer 100% of the time will be a huge, resounding no. I’ll let you know in a few weeks whether the experiment works or not.

I bought some more moringa trees to shade my gogi berries and apple trees from the worst heat of the summer. I lost an apple tree during August, which was a heavy blow. The mangos are doing well, as are all the other plants. I love moringa in smoothies and soup and beans, so the more we plant the better. Plus, we won’t have to buy so many bunches of greens for our smoothies. That also means a lot less plastic bags to carry and a lot less water to process them in. Sounds like a win-win.

I hear you might sign up for some new after school classes. What are you going to try this time? Did you like soccer? I know one thing; whatever you try it will be fun if you have a good attitude. Of course you already know that. I remember your attitude with swimming last summer. You threw yourself into learning that skill and really came a long way. It sure is fun to try new things? I’m going to take some more college classes this winter on line--right now I'm working on a Winston Churchill class. I just love to take classes. I’ll never be through learning new things until the day I die.

Let us know if you get tired of receiving books. Although it might be a bit challenging, you will love Fever 1793. Most Amazon kid reviewers love it as much as this old Grammy, too. This bit of historical fiction is a real page-turner. It might be fun to co-read it with your mom. Speaking of Mom, she told me you enjoy the 'I Survived' series. I sent a few to Cole a couple years ago. Although the reading level is pretty easy, they are exciting stories. Enjoy I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944.

..., we love you very much. Although we pray daily for you in a general way, this week we will pray specifically and in great detail. No, I don’t actually know what problems you have, but I do remember the problems I had at your age. Those memories lead me to pray that you will be safe, secure, happy, and health. We pray that God will inspire you to listen carefully, react slowly, reject rebellion readily, and speak kindly to everyone. We pray that you will develop an optimistic attitude, deep faith, and love of learning. We pray that you are happy, healthy, safe, and secure. We pray that you will be motivated to be an obedient daughter, a loyal sister, a trustworthy friend, and a compassionate servant of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will choose to embrace all that is good and stay close to the gospel.

two peas

Dear Gayle,

We hope you are happy, healthy, safe, and loving school. While your weather is getting cold, we move into the best time of year here. Although I know many people love snow, I am not a fan at all. When we lived in snow country, I slipped on the ice many, many times. A couple times I was hurt. Anyway, during our scorching summers, I have to keep reminding myself that I can’t slip on sunshine and don’t have to shovel heat. That keeps the hot summer and awesome fall, winter, and spring in perspective.

What are you doing lately? Do you still cheer? Do you still ride your bike a lot? Do you still love to read and love school? Do you enjoy your piano lessons? I imagine you getting taller and more beautiful every day but hope this growth also includes increased empathy and kindness. When we are blessed with so much, it is hard to remember that others don’t often have such a charmed life.

Lately, I’ve been working with a kindergarten girl at school. She has a terrible history of neglect and abuse, which required her removal from her mother’s custody. It’s tragic. Although she is super smart, already reading nicely, writing a lovely hand, and beginning multiplication, her personality needs a bit of TLC. When she is excited, she sneers and tells what she did in a nah-nah-nah voice. Because I found this unnerving, I knew it would be a problem for her unless we helped her learn an alternative. So, I told her how her meanness hurt my feelings. She was shocked, saying she wasn’t trying to be mean. Responding, I told her to practice smiling, as she conveyed excitement. Another time I caught her taunting a child and talked to her about kindness. Anyway, Thursday while she waited her turn to read with me, she complimented the little girl next to her. She asked, ‘Was that nice Mrs. Conrad?’ Because the other child was used to the first girl’s rudeness, she didn’t even listen but complained of rudeness. I encouraged the first girl to explain what she meant to her classmate; now the two are fast friends. She showed me some handwriting the next day with a pleasant face and kind tone. Her progress indicates her desire to be a peaceful, pleasant person.

I do this volunteer teaching as a service to God, but it is sooo rewarding to make a difference in a life. I tend to think that’s why Jesus commanded us to serve one another. Our Father and the Son knew the selfish but self-depreciating nature of man, so commanded us to do the one thing that could remedy both ills and at the same time care for his other children. If we look closely, we can see that all the commandments are tools for a happy life. There are no happy 40 year old addicts or alcoholics, none. Heavenly Father knows what will make us happy, service being one of those things.

I traveled alone the other day. Well, I had a big layover coming back and forgot to bring a book. Uncle Spencer took me to Barnes and Nobel on the way to the airport, where I found Fever 1793. As I read it, I thought it would be perfect for you. Although it might be a bit challenging, I think you are up for it. It could be one you and your mother would enjoy reading together; I don’t know. Anyway, this bit of historical fiction taught me a few things, but more importantly, it was a real page-turner. Even though I liked it, I wasn’t sure if a nearly young woman, such as yourself, would enjoy it as much as me. After reading the reviews, I knew it was the one to send this time. Hopefully, I’m right.

As you know, I can’t eat wheat, eggs, milk, soy, and a bunch of other things. Without those things, I had cakeless birthdays, until now. This year we found a vegan bakery that offers wheat and soy free upon request. For the first time in six years, I ate cake for my birthday. While I can’t say it’s all I remember, it was somewhat enjoyable. I just may have another one next year. However, it did eliminate the craving for pastries I endured for all that time. Sweets are nice but not something I just gotta have. I’m so glad I got over that one.

Gayle, we love you very much even though we don’t see you often. Although we pray daily for you in a general way, this week we will pray specifically and in great detail. No, I don’t specifically know what problems you have, but I do remember the problems I had at your age. Those memories lead me to pray that you will be safe, secure, happy, and health. We pray that God will inspire you to be quick to listen, slow to react, and never speak unkindly especially to those you love. We pray that you will develop deep faith, love of learning, and beautiful touch on the piano. We pray that you are happy, healthy, safe, and secure. We pray that you will be motivated to be an obedient daughter, a loyal sister, a trustworthy friend, and a compassionate servant of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will choose to embrace all that is good and stay close to the gospel

Forgot to post this one last week.

Hi Cole!

We hope you are happy, healthy, and having a wonderful fall. We especially love autumn here. After months of scorching hot weather, 80 degrees is very nice. Living in the hot desert is sort of opposite of snow country. There, nobody goes outside much because of the ice, snow, and cold. You have to be very careful to dress properly and not get frostbite. Here, we have to dress properly and not get sunburn. I think I like the hot weather better than ice and snow, since I’ve not once slipped on sunshine.

One time, when we lived in snow country, I didn’t notice a patch of black ice. My feet flew out from under me, and I landed on my head. Hmmmm…maybe that’s why I’m so weird now. Oh, yah, I’ve always been weird…I have no excuse. Anyway, after that I didn’t go out during the winter much for fear of falling.

I still see lots of coyotes but haven’t yet gotten any pepper spray. We decided a noisemaker is a better choice so will get a starter pistol. Have you ever gone to a track meet? They start the races with a gunshot. Although the gun isn’t the kind that shoots bullets, it makes a huge racket—hopefully enough to scare a coyote. Now that I’ve realized I live and walk in their home, I don’t feel such irritation toward them anymore.

Did you watch General Conference last weekend? To me Conference is a huge treat. As people grow to adulthood, their problems are bigger. We pray for help and answers. If we listen carefully, we can hear the Holy Ghost whisper the answers during these sermons and while reading scriptures. All the sermons held gems of inspiration for me, but the last two especially spoke to my heart as answers to prayer.

General Conference used to be something to be endured until I learned a little secret. When Uncle Spencer was your age, he and I bought and listened to all of John Bytheway’s CDs. He loved them so much that he shared them with his friends. They memorized all the talks, and John Bytheway’s jokes became a basis for their crazy humor for years. More importantly for them and me, several ideas changed how we saw church. For instance, he talked about the church journal. Since then I use a journal during all meetings to keep my mind focused. I write down things that are funny or interesting. I write any inspiration I receive. Sometimes, I draw in the margins. A church journal doesn’t need to be fancy; it can be as simple as a 50-cent spiral notebook from Wal-Mart. But it can change your spiritual life.

What are you doing these days? Baseball is over, so you can’t be doing that. Maybe you are kicking a soccer ball or riding a bike a lot. Maybe you wait for the first good snow to go sledding. Maybe you are more like me and read for hours and hours. Maybe do lots of science experiments. Maybe you draw. Maybe like Spencer and Jason, you love scouting.

We hope you love learning and work hard at school. Sometimes school can be a bear, but working through the hard times is so worth the reward. It is fun to be smart, AND people who paid the price to be smart are better off during adulthood. They have happier families, better resources, and more meaningful employment. Does that mean life will be perfect and rosy if you are diligent with your studies. No, we are not remotely promised that. However, it will be a better journey with a good education.

“God who created the heavens and the earth knows the grand design of this earth, that He has dominion over all things in the heavens and the earth, and that in order to bring to pass the plan of salvation, He provides us with many different experiences—including some trials—while we are on this earth...The test a loving God has set before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered Him and the commandments He gave us,” Koichi Aoyagi, October 2015 General Conference.

So a good education isn’t enough either. We must also develop deep faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This brings me back to that church journal. Each week as Sunday approaches, I think over my week. How could things have goon better? What could I have done differently? How can I help my dear ones? What questions or problems do I need to bring before my Father in Heaven? What are my areas of weakness and needs for repentance? During Sacrament Meeting, I ponder these while listening and writing. It sure is a lot more interesting and enlightening than enduring church with great boredom. Give it a try and see if I’m right.

Well, Cole, we love you. Please, don’t ever forget this. We think about you all the time, but this week we pray especially for you. We pray that God will inspire you to be quick to listen, slow to react, and never speak unkindly especially to those you love. We pray that you will develop a deep faith and love of learning. We pray that you are happy, healthy, safe, and secure. We pray that you will be motivated to be an obedient son, a loyal brother, and a trustworthy friend. We pray that you will choose to embrace all that is good in the scouting program and stay close to the gospel.