Looking back at 2009, Gearing up for 2010

Letter to Elder Jake - Dec. 27, 2009

Dear Elder Jake,

It was wonderful to talk with you on Christmas Day. It was good to hear your voice and learn more details how you are doing. You sound good and you amaze us with how well you are doing so quickly. It doesn’t mean that it is easy right now, but the blessings are and will coming.

If you get a chance, take a picture of your apartment, inside and out.(Maybe that was some of the pics you already sent but didn’t identify – beyond the disgusting sink!

The story of you sternly talking to the drunk man was pretty funny. And who knew any Japanese to teach to the group of kids? Or did you just make up words? ;-)

Since we just talked a few days ago, you have been somewhat caught up on the family events. But let me fill you on details you might have missed.

Monday night, we spent Family Home Evening at the Ries home. Ross was excited to see us, meeting us at the door. We watched “A Christmas Story” and for dessert, wedding cake which they pulled from their freezer. (There is more cake where that came from - and might still be available when you return!) A was hanging all over her big brother R and he was very patient. He did thank me when I told A to give R a break.

Its nice to have R “back.” Last Christmas he was acclimating back to the real world. Then by the time he came home for Spring Break, he was “twitterpated,” and when he wasn’t with K, he was thinking about her. While he has always been good at participating with the family, he is much more interactive now. Today, he and the youngest three played Risk for hours. Doing either of those things, playing Risk or playing games with the youngest three, takes a lot of patience. Its fun to listen to the game-playing – how he handles endless explanations, disagreements, whining, and distractions.

On Tuesday, I went shopping with the two little boys. When I came back, S and two neighbor girls had baked a huge batch of sugar cookies. Pretty impressive. Later, I came back into the living room, the girls were gone and W and our favorite 5-year-old were playing the Wii. When I asked where the girls went, W told me. Then the 5 yo piped in, “BUT I AM HERE!”

While we were out shopping that day, W was singing, “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Step on a line, break your father’s spine” over and over again. At one point, he looked down and said, “Oh crap!”

On Christmas Eve, we had the largest group yet for our traditional dinner – 27 people! The living room and dining room was filled but we all fit! It was great to have R and K to help the kids with their chores and getting the house ready for company. For lunch, R took the kids to Taco Bell as well as shopping for their cereal. At one point, S told A to buckle her seat belt. A was arguing about why she needed to do that. S explained she could get hurt or die. A retorted, “Well, I never died before!”

Dave B decided it is now tradition to make crepes for dessert so after dinner, we took down the table and chairs, sang songs, had Lori read one of her books, while Dave made crepes with the help of Sadie and Jack!

Christmas Day, the kids woke up at 6 am. A was delighted Santa answered her pleas for a baby doll that poops and pees.” The doll came with a couple packages of “apple juice” and A couldn’t wait to feed her baby and change the diaper.

Since Friday, the days have been fairly low-key. Hanging out at home, playing games, watching movies, doing puzzles. In the early hours of Sunday morning, A, J and K were all sick and throwing up. Not sure what it was because K had been at her parents’ since Friday, but they seem to be doing better now. And I hope that is the end of the sickness line.

The low-key days have been nice but I need to gear up and get more done this week. Get things ready to start off a brand new year. What are the missionary plans for Dec.31/Jan 1? Are there big celebrations in Sao Paulo?

What an exciting year ahead for you! To serve your Savior, to learn more about His work and His purposes. To feel His love for you as well as those you serve. I am so thrilled for the experiences and blessings that await you! It will be amazing.

Keep your eyes on the goal – know that each step, even if they seem to be going backwards, will take you closer to where you want to be. I love you, Elder Jake! I am so thrilled you are exactly where you have worked so hard to be.

Love, Mom

Letter to Elder Jake - Christmas Week

Dec. 20, 2009

Dear Elder Jake,

We were thrilled to get your letter from Brasil and hear about your first few days. Did you ever find out the name of the suburb you are assigned? Helida was interested in knowing.

I was a little concern about Elder Dos Reis losing his cell phone. That sounded too much like my favorite missionary and wondered if it was safe to have the two of you together. ;-) He sounds like he is a good companion to learn from. I am sure it will be a bit of an adjustment with the initial language barriers and being raised in two different cultural – but what a great adventure as well!

How is the language coming? Are you understanding more? Though I am not fluent in Spanish or German, I find that I can understand a lot more when the conversations are not directly at me.
I think you said to call at 9 a.m. on Christmas Day. I assume you mean 9 a.m. Oregon time; otherwise we would need to get up at 3 am to call you! I found a website that shows Sao Paulo’s current time, which is 6 hours ahead of us. And even found the series of numbers we need to add to the 8-digit phone number you gave us. That time should work great because R and K will be heading over to her parents late morning/early afternoon. We are anxious to hear your “billion stories.”

We are anxious to hear more about your daily schedule – though I should probably ask this after the holidays. I am sure things are atypical at this time. Tell us what Christmas is like in Brasil – how are things decorated; what traditions do they have? Any great food? Since its almost summer there, it’s a lot warmer. What are your plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – besides the phone call?

Since your package won’t arrive until January, I hope and not later, I will put an extra $50 in your account if you want to buy some things to fill your stocking, as well as your companion’s. (You did bring the Christmas stocking with you? It didn’t take up much room.)

Here on the home front – JJ thinks he will do golf instead of lacrosse. He told me that on Tuesday morning. Once he decides something, he wants to figure out all the details immediately. And if there are any unanswered questions, he wants to have them resolved immediately. Regardless of the fact that he needs to get ready for school and finish his morning chores; regardless of the fact, his parent is frantically trying to send off a report before a morning meeting. He does this often and I have to love his enthusiasm. Just want to help him pick better times so he can get the attention and the answer he wants.

On Friday night, he had one of his two overnight campouts as a Blazer scout. He reminded me so much of you at that age. He was so anxious to pack on Thursday afternoon, and was quite irked at me for insisting that he do his chores before he packs. (Sound familiar?) He was ready to pack for Dad as well. So much like you though I don’t remember you wanting to pack hand-sanitizer! He had a great time at the campout. Now he is putting together the ingredient list for sarmales – a Romanian dish that he and R are going to cook.

A is in her hyperaware-mode right now. She just came asked what it meant if you drool a lot. That was a new health worry for her. She still desperately wants a “baby doll that poops and pees.” I think that is her consolation gift since I won’t cooperate and provide with a younger sister.

W was wanting to use electrical wiring again, this time for an invention, and was quite irritated with me since I said no. He is building an anti-gravity box. It is a square box a bit bigger than a shoe box with the hedgehog pencil holder and some other things. I have no idea how it was supposed to work, but W knew that it would. I told him that when he was homeschooled in 7th grade, that could be one of his research projects.

S was quite disappointed to not be in the play again! But she decided on her own after reading more about it. We could not find any redeeming parts to it. Karen is booked with voice lessons and we have not been able to get her in. She told me about a performing group. The group sings and dances, and does some acting. They had a performance on Saturday night and I took the kids to it. It was great. S definitely wants to join, and probably A. W wasn’t so sure. As always, he has to think this is his idea! However, by this afternoon, he said he wanted to join since there was only one boy in the group now. This should be fun – I hope!

D called on Friday night. She was at the airport waiting to get home. She sounded good; very excited for Italy. I asked her to adopt me!

Dad is singing in a concert tonight. He left for rehearsal and we will go to the concert in an hour. R and K should be driving home soon. Tomorrow night, we will go K's family for family night – and watch Scrooge the musical. S is having a friend over on Tuesday. They will bake and frost sugar cookies – they might even invite the neighbor kids over. Dad and some others will go over to the Smith’s that evening to watch BYU play OSU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Wednesday – Margaret will come over to decorate gingerbread houses. Thursday – is Christmas Eve. So hard to believe! We will be having a group over for dinner. Christmas Day will be the best because I already know my favorite present – talking with you.

Enjoy this Christmas week. What at awesome time for as a missionary. Celebrating our Savior’s birthday. You are in our thoughts. Know that when we say our prayers in our gatherings with family and friends, you are always included in the prayers. Give the Brasilians the best of our family this season.

Love, Mom

_______________

About once a month in my letters to our missionary, I try to include an "I Know" so my children will know what I believe. I share things that I know are truths, learned through study and experience. I hope you don't mind but I have included this week's below.

I know . . . How to Give Joy to Christ

During the Christmas season, it can difficult to be away from family. That is understandable, and normal. You also know the remedy for this– hard work and service. Homesickness will come and go. You will feel sadness at various times; just know it eases, especially as you find creative ways to serve others.

There are times when I miss having you around, but I count my blessings that you are exactly where you should be; then I count the many wonderful blessings you are receiving and the family is receiving for your service.

Those first seven years in our current home included some of the hardest trials in my life. There were a few times where I felt at the “gates of hell.” But Dad and I kept putting one foot in front of the other with faith (sometimes very strained), hoping that the promised blessings would come. In the midst of this, about seven years ago, during the week before Christmas, I was in the temple waiting for the next session. I picked up the scriptures and read. During the Christmas season, I often try to read about the Savior’s visit in 3rd Nephi so I resumed reading there. As I read one scripture, it pierced my heart with its truthfulness.

It is found in 3 Nephi 17 when Jesus prays for the people. After he arises, the joy of the people was so great they couldn’t stand until after Christ bade them. Then, in verse 21, Christ said, “Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.”

Finances were among the fiercest challenges at the time, and some who didn’t understand the situation, were harshly judging us. We were trying our hardest to follow promptings but there seemed to be no solutions at that time. Satan was working overtime to inhibit the growth of our eternal family. Reading that scripture, I realized that all Christ asked of me, of all of us, was faith. And if we give that to him, His joy is full.

It’s simple. It’s beautiful.

My heart was full that day knowing that my efforts were bringing great joy to my Savior. At the Christmas season, celebrating His birth, I knew I was giving the gift that brought Him Joy.
As I have watched my children grow, I recognize that feeling. Knowing you are striving forward with faithfulness, I feel great joy. “I have no great joy than to hear that my children walk in truthfulness.” (3 John1:4.)

During this season, and as you continue to serve faithfully as a missionary, know that what you are doing is bring Christ great joy.

Letter to Elder Jake - Sunday Dec 13

[Our youngest was in full mode with funny stories this week.]

Dec. 13, 2009
Dear Elder Jake,

Well, its nice to know you really have your visa and are heading to Brazil on Tuesday! So exciting – we are still wondering how many of your district will be flying with you. Also, how many are going to your mission? We are pretty excited you will get to spend Christmas in Brazil and look forward to hearing your first reports.

I forwarded your emails to a few people, including Teresa. She wrote back, “I love that child... man/child... he cracks me UP!”

BTW - how do you want me to do the other SoP emails? Are they all being forwarded to you? Do you want me to print them and mail them snail mail/pouch once you are in Brazil?)

Sounds like your Portuguese is coming along well and you will hit the ground running as promised. Yea! You will probably have some doubts about your language skills initially because it’s a different ballgame out in the “real world.” Just relax and it will flow quickly. Remember the elder from Fuji, wasn;t it? You said he just went ahead and spoke even if he wasn’t sure he had it right.

Dad gave a talk in another ward today and read last week’s email where you mentioned their Young Men. I also talked with some of them or their moms during the week and told them to read the letter.

Its been a great week here and lots of fun things to report. First a follow-up on last week’s story about W deciding to give S a present since it was “Made in Minnesota and Serena likes Minnesota.” I was looking at the gift again and realized it really said, “Made in Indonesia.”

Earlier in the week, he asked us if he would need braces. I said I didn’t know but maybe not. He tried to negotiate and said, “If you don’t have to buy me braces, can you buy me a car instead?”

After living here for 12 years, on Tuesday night, W (it was his dinner night) and I went to the store about bought Dungeness crab for dinner. We bought four and fixed them. It received mixed reviews. S was hilarious – even without tasting it, her facial expression looked as if she had burped up something unpleasant. Dad tried a leg or two and so did JJ. S finally ate a bite. A and W seemed to enjoy it more, as well as myself. So, I guess we won’t be having that as a family dinner anytime soon – or maybe as a side dish for those who can appreciate good food! ;-)

S had her choir concert last week; I love watching her sing. The new choir director was more comfortable in his role. I took W and A with me. After the Freshmen girls sang, W said he liked the old choir teacher better because “I couldn’t understand a word they are singing!” I tried to explain to him that the old teacher actually had the kids sing more songs in different languages. By the end, he seemed to enjoy it better.

We had the ward Christmas breakfast with the theme of Polar Express. W and N sang one of the two musical numbers, “When Christmas Comes.” During their singing, Sis. M leaned over and said, “Another Sons of Promise?” I think W has it planned out. He has already asked two friends. He is not so sure about another friend because “he sings like a dead fish.”

A had a friend over after the party. They had a good time and the two of them cleaned the bedroom in record time; plus they baked ham biscuits for lunch.

JJ has been in full fashion advisor mode today. Yesterday, he found a pair of Ecco shoes that almost fit him. (They are a bit big.) And they only cost $6. He was so excited; he came home and polished them. Then he laid out all his Sunday clothes including socks and shoes. This morning as the boys were getting ready for church, I heard JJ tell W, “Don’t wear any of those ties. I have the perfect one for you to wear.” Then a bit later, W was looking for his “scuffed shoes.” JJ said, “I told you you can’t wear those any more.”

Well, I think I have kept you busy enough. Have a great day! Enjoy getting ready for your flight and hope all goes well with the travels. We hope to hear from you on Tuesday. S wants to stay home but hasn’t decided . She wants to keep up her straight A’s – she just received her grades last week. Her GPA is going great!

I love you and am grateful for your hard work while in the MTC.

Love, Mom

Family Letters

Since Elder Jake referred to my last letter, I decided to post it here. Since I am writing weekly updates to our missionary, I probably should go ahead and post them on this blog. (Kill two birds with one stone . . . and all.)