October 11, 2009

Dear Children,

We had a nice, full weekend. Our Saturday was especially fulfilling since I wanted to fill it doing something fun but challenging but also learned the day before that the temperature might drop to freezing during the night. So, I also had to give the garden some much needed attention. We started our day with Dad making omelets from lots of vegetables in our garden while I finished part of a Christmas gift I had started during the week. (Remember that I committed to not do anything I “had” to do but only things I “wanted” to do this week? Well, that didn’t work out as soon as people learned we were really home so I only got one part of a gift done!) After breakfast, Dad took me on one of his regular bike rides, over Bull Mountain. I am sure that Dad does it a lot faster; both up and down the mountain (his speedometer said he was going 38 miles an hour at one point . . . not ME!). We were riding more than two hours. It felt good but Saturday night as I lay in bed, I wasn’t sure if it was the bike ride or the garden work that made me hurt.

As much as I enjoy working in the garden, I felt all week like it was one of the “have to” jobs that I tried to ignore. Learning that it might freeze though, I determined I must do a “have to” job since I didn’t want to lose all my summer’s work. After our bike ride, I gave much needed attention to the tomatoes and peppers, pulling all the vegetables to preserve and stripping all the leaves to get every bit of sun possible, and Dad pulled the green beans, cut off our one big pumpkin for the front porch, and the last of the beets. We filled two green garbage cans and my conscience is now clear of my “garden stewardship”!

Dad and I ended the day in the Whisenant’s driveway for a neighbor movie. The driveway was filled with a crowd and the neighbor children loved it; laughing hard and loud at its silliness. The movie was animated, called Monsters versus Aliens. It was a nice setting; they even had an outdoor heater.

It has been a week of regrouping. Dad was able to book himself solid for the next two weeks with work; something that hasn’t happened for months. I am thankful for that. I know that Ramona and Ivan came back to Oregon while they are in the states for two weeks for Chris’s wedding. I am hoping that he asks why the accounts receivable isn’t taken care of, since the office doesn’t return my calls about that work. Meanwhile I got a couple of other side jobs and I am determined, after the messages from conference, to be in the temple more each week.

I also started my institute class this week. We are doing a doctrinal study of the Book of Mormon, Religion 421-423. It should be very good. Our discussion this week was on the Tree of Life vision in First Nephi. We talked of how the Book of Mormon exposes the deceptive ways of Satan while other books of scripture rarely mention the devil and his reality. Going along the message of President Monson in the priesthood session of general conference, we talked about anger and strong emotions blocking the spirit and how it can become consuming. President Stark, my teacher, pointed out how it seems these days that people are so caught up with being anger over our government. He quoted 3 Nephi 11:29 and reminded us not to get drawn into debate so easily or in spiteful contentious activity.

I like the visual when my instructor said, “hold tight, KNUCKLE WHITE TIGHT, to the iron rod” since the rivers of filthy water and the mists of darkness are in such close proximity to the iron rod. He reminded us that every virtue, pushed to an extreme, can become a vice and referred to that great talk from Dallin Oaks about our strengths becoming our weaknesses (Ensign October 1994).

I have pictures that Morty sent me from his and Katie’s last minute trip to Southern California to see the Cardinals play. It is hard for me to admit this since; as a mother I worry about them missing school and work, but it is a good thing that they saw their team play this past week since I learned yesterday that they are out of the playoffs now. I am sorry for that since they were excited that they had some other playoff tickets. I would always like their team to win so that there might be something worth rooting for. Morty’s pictures made me smile; they looked like they were having a great time together.

This week was Adam’s birthday so we drove to Jefferson on Wednesday evening to take him to dinner. Dad and I told him he could pick any place he wanted to eat so he chose Sizzler’s. It had been YEARS since we went to a Sizzler’s; I don’t think there is one any where up here anymore. It had a great salad bar. Adam has been there before since Uncle Mickey and Aunt Lynn know the manager, so he told us about all of his favorite foods there.

I made Adam a pair of pajamas for his birthday. I tried to find some sports car fabric but when I found fabric with scout awards all over it, I decided to use that. Adam is now in Webelos and the fabric has all the parts to the scout law (which he needs to memorize as a Webelos scout) so that might help him remember those. I remember them by singing a song called “Trusty Tommy” that I taught Nate, Tyler Chism and Michael Pierson when I had them as Webelos. I remember seeing Michael Pierson outside the door of his Eagle Scout Board of Review humming the song so he could remember it in case he was asked to repeat it!

We had a delightful visit that evening; it is so refreshing to be able to spend time with a grandchild. There is something so special about being a grandparent and the very endearing bond that is between a child and their grandparent. Every child deserves to have grandparents that adore them!!!

What is so impressive about Adam was how, at dinner, he was retelling Dad all about President Monson’s conference message from Sunday morning. Adam was intrigued by the jar of warm fuzzies sent to the prophet on his birthday; the prophet has repeatedly asked us to do something kind for someone in need and I believe I remember that he expressed that also in an earlier pre-birthday wish. The prophet’s conference message centered around the question, “What have I done for someone else today?” Adam remembered so many of the details of the many acts of service reported to President Monson. Adam has a very keen memory and quite a sensitive nature.

After Adam’s birthday dinner we extended our visit to Kyre’s place where we played some games and visited with Kyre and Klaire. Klaire loves visitors and is ready to take center stage to show everyone what she is learning. She had a pile of library books to read, a couple of them she had already put to memory many of the pages.

We talked of the good Utah family times with Scott on Sunday and his love for his institute class and its special meaning in his life. It is amazing to consider what we take for granted. He is looking forward to the chance to hear about any of the conference talks. If you have a favorite, he would love to hear from you. I am sending him some summaries this week but you can send him the entire text of your favorite.

Grandma Bitter called me this week excited to tell me that she got on the computer and was able to pull up the blog email and to print off my last family letter. I was very impressed! Her birthday is this week.

Dad and I enjoyed Sunday dinner at the Chandler’s; they also invited grandma. The day was colder than we had been used to so it was quite pleasant to sit by their earth stove and talk for an evening. Which explains is why I did not finish this letter on Sunday! I also received news this weekend that Marie Floyd is terminally ill and her heart is failing her. She was sent home from the hospital not expected to live more than a month. Her family has all been here to visit. I feel sorry for Jim and the children; she is only Dad’s age.

I hope that you enjoying experiencing the seasons change and making preparations for fall. I have been reading Elder Christofferson’s conference talk on Moral Discipline for my class this Thursday. Here is a quote to remember:

Choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard! I love you. Love, Mom