Aug 7-13

Matthew,

Today was stake conference.  I had a interesting experience today and it reminded me of a similar experience I had at church in Cooke City.  

Today at church I went to the restroom to blow my nose (more on the health saga later).  I've had a cold since Cooke.  On my way to the bathroom I see a woman in my ward pushing her disabled father in a wheel chair into the woman's bathroom and into the handicapped stall to help him use the bathroom.  This man had been a very successful businessman but in later years has had health issues that have left him in a wheel chair.  Seeing her love and compassion in her actions toward him brought tears to my eyes.  

During sacrament meeting at church in cooke I watched a woman back her car into Liz's suburban.  Once this woman realized she had hit another car she came in and got liz.  She took Liz out to see the damage she had done.  Liz gave her a hug and forgave her.  

Witnessing these two events was more valuable in learning about Christ than anything I could have learned at church.  

My challenge to you is:  teach people about Christ by your actions.  It is so much more meaningful than anything you can say.

Opa had to go to the hospital today.  He has the same cold we all have but his body isn't handling it well.  He is getting IV fluids and is home now.  

The kids start school in TWO days!  (Aren't you glad you aren't going back to school with them?)  I remember you going into school one year and saying, "I've been in school 4 years and hated every year!" 

Adaline went to Jeremy Lewis' farewell today.  It was combined with the suyak boy too. 

I love you and think you are awesome!

I am starting to think about Christmas package for you- What do you want?

Love you,

Laura

July 31- Aug. 6

Dear Matthew,

We were in Cooke city all week.  Last Sunday we had 2 hours of church= Best thing ever!   What is church like for you?  Is it like in Belize where the missionaries give the talks/translate/bless the sacrament/ teach Sunday school?  How many people are in your current branch?  Do members go with you on member exchanges?

We did an over- nighter to rock island Tuesday- Wednesday.  It went well except that EVERYONE in the cabin got sick with a cold.  (We were up there with Emily's family and Athena's family.  Athena's family left Wednesday).  We hiked up and everyone carried their own packs.  We did cliff jumping at the lake which Jacob just loved.  He kept saying "we really need to come back to this lake."  

One our way home we ran into a man hiking alone without a pack (no food or water).  He seemed slightly disoriented, out of breath, and tired.  He was still .5-.75 miles from Kersey.  We talked to him for a bit and them hiked back to the car.  Dad and I felt that we could not leave that man alone in the wilderness.  I just imagined seeing a picture of that man's face on a paper hanging in the general store the next day with "Have you seen me?"  under the picture.  once our packs were off we sent James back up the trail with an unopened water bottle.  He ran as fast as he could and up the trail a ways he turn the corner and saw the man falling off the trail.  James grabbed him and stabilized him so he wouldn't fall on the rocks beneath.  James was that man's angel.  He did follow that man and made sure that he got back to his car safely.  It made me think about

1- How important it is to follow the promptings of the holy ghost

2- How sometimes in our life due to no fault of our own or due to completely our own fault we get in a position where we need help.  It may not happen the way we want or expect but help will come.

3- sometimes we are the instrument of our Heavenly Father.  Right now you are always an instrument in His hands.  You carry his name.

The kids have ONE last week before school starts a week from Tuesday.  Can you believe it?  I'm so sad.  I will really miss them.

Love you,

Mom

P.S.

First of all- We never heard about the termites in your first apartment...  Sounds like an interesting story.....(I don't think termites can live in such a harsh climate like Cooke city- I'll look it up.)

Second- Tell us more about Elder Gillette.  How long has he been out?  are you the senior companion?  

Thirdly-  family has requested your emails.  I hope you got Ryan's first email (you are on their list). 

July 10-16

Matthew,

Another week passes.  It feels like I just wrote you and now I'm doing it again.

We had a good week at Cooke City.  It was good to see James and spend time with him and Marilyn and her kids.  I took up Mark's two boys Derek and Jared.  They were a handful and made the trip less wonderful but I survived and they survived and I get to go up at least one more time without them.  We also took Will Harkness for someone for Isaac to hang out with.  Will was fine to take.  This time at the cabin was nice because I completely unplugged and loved it!  I was able to read some really good books and paint and just enjoy.

The mosquitoes were pretty bad and they love Eleanor.  She got eaten alive.  She has 28 mosquito bites on just one arm.  Do you have big problems with mosquitoes?  

One night I gave her benadryl just so she could sleep.  I helped James install the floor of his trailer one day and painted another day.  It's coming together well.  

The kids didn't want to leave Cooke.  They begged to stay one more day- but I wanted to get home to dad so we came home Friday.  

Yesterday we went up into Heber valley and did some hiking and got milk shakes.  It was nice to get away.  I have felt so restless this summer so it has been nice to be able to go to the cabin so much this summer.

My Nana Ruby died yesterday.  We are all so happy for her.  She is now with my Opa and her daughter Pat, her brothers and sisters, and her parents.  What a beautiful thing death is for the old when you have the gospel of Jesus Christ!  You give people this peace with the message you share.

I am glad to hear yo are doing well.  How was meeting with your mission president?  What kids of questions did he ask you?  What do you think of him?  Is your companion able to focus his last few weeks on his mission or is he a drain on you?

 I love you and think that you are awesome!  Work hard and you will be happy.  I pray for you multiple times a day.

Love,

Mom 

July 2-July 9

Matthew,

I love getting your letters.  I love to see the happiness in your eyes of the photos.  I especially loved the story of you running into the new members that you weren't able to say goodbye to.  That was a tender mercy from the Lord telling you he is mindful of you and the sacrifice you are making to serve him.  

How is the obedience of your companion?  Are you able to get along?  This week you meet your new mission president- I wan to hear all about it.  So take mental notes to write me.  

Thought about teaching people- If they reject you it just mean they aren't ready for your message in their life right now.  Eventually- in this life or the next they will remember the things you taught them and the spirit they felt and be receptive and be ready to learn more.  You have a great gift to give them.  1-They are a child of God and he knows and loves them.  2- They can talk to Him any time they need help in their lives.  If that is all they get out of meeting with you, it is enough.  Once they pray and are willing to listen the spirit will lead them back to the missionaries.  Don't be discouraged or frustrated.  We only see a very small time line of peoples lives.  Spread Joy, happiness, and let people feel the Spirit of the Lords through you. 

This past week Mark and David's families are in town.  It has been fun/ stressful (in a good way).  One day Isaac and Jacob went to sleep over with Jim and Ali so it was just the girls.  We went out to dinner and a movie (Wonder Woman).  It was a little inappropriate for Bridie and Eleanor.  Oh well.   Live and learn.  

We went camping up Hobble creek Friday night.  It was a typical camp out- not a whole lot of sleep.  Jasmine came with us and did ok.  We stopped by the new reservoir in Springville and played in the water. 

Today is Aunt Christina's birthday.  This week was the fourth of July.  On the 4th we went out to a patriotic program and a mini Jamestown.  They do a great job.  Then the adults went to lunch and the kids had pizza and watched a movie here.  That night we watched Fireworks on our back lawn.  James came into town for the weekend!  It was so great to see him again!  We are headed up to Montana tomorrow so we will see James again soon.

I love you and am so proud of you!

Love,

mom

P.S.  We googled Palawan and it came up as the most beautiful island in the world.  Are there times that the scenery takes your breath away?