October 10, 2021- Another Month Zooms By

Hello Everyone,

The good news/bad news is that as we keep up with the rhythm of the mission, time seems to move at a quick pace. So it has already been a month since we last shared any updates.

It was so much fun to have Glenn and Lynn come and visit for a short weekend. We tried to pack in as much food and fun as possible in our time together. We went to the mountains, we went to the ocean -the lighthouses, a walk on the beach, we ate good lobster rolls and all too soon the time was gone. We are so grateful that they came. It was nice to spend time with family.

We are also grateful that they had an hour that they were willing to spend with Melanie and family on their way East. As they visited with them, the question came up about how long they have been married(63 years) and what they do to make "it" work. This was their response-"we grew up in an era where you didn't throw things away. You took care of things. And if something was broken, then you worked and fixed it. It's the same with marriage. You take care of each other and you don't give up on each other. You say thank you, I love you, and I'm sorry a lot."

Such great advice that can be applied to all of our relationships with each other.

It seems that I have been receiving a lot of food for thought about relationships in the past couple of weeks.

One of our missionaries in his Golden Truth that he shared in zone conference, had an awesome analogy that really hit home to me. He talked about the mirror of ERISED in Harry Potter and how that mirror shows what you most desire. He went on to tell of his experience in the Celestial Room standing in front of the mirrors and seeing his family - a lot of family in those mirrors and how he realized that was what he desired - to be with his family - all of them. I loved how he equated that experience with Harry's mirror experience. I love thinking that those Celestial Room mirrors show us what we most desire.

The picture of the quote in stone attached below was on the top of a mountain in New Hampshire! We saw it as we hiked to the top of the observation tower where at the top we were able to see Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Canada and Massachusetts. But I took the picture because of the thoughts of my heart.

In General Conference last week, it seemed like I heard more than one mention of the 2 great commandments - Love the Lord, then love yourself, so that you can love others. Take care of those relationships.

And I loved President Nelson's closing guidance - “The Lord knows you and loves you... He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life — each and every day.”

I hope you don't mind that I am sharing these thoughts with you. The messages have touched my heart and I think of you and how much our family and our relationships mean to me. I love you all so very much.

Last weekend we went to Vermont with the Blackhams to see what fall was like in that direction. Everything is turning color and looks so beautiful. We had breakfast with some of our missionaries in Burlington before we got on a ferry and headed to the west side of Lake Champlain in New York! Still in our mission and a place I didn't think I would find myself in again!! We went to Fort Ticonderoga which was a revolutionary period fort. The scenery was great and Dad was able to get another medallion for his walking stick. One of the attached pictures is one of the docents telling the history of Mount Defiance which sits above the actual fort - No filter - the colors were amazing. We had a very nice weekend. We will miss the Blackhams when they leave at the end of October. Hope their replacements are like them and not like others....

This weekend we had the opportunity to "attend" Noah's baptism. So grateful for technology that helps keep us together even when we can't be there in person. Although it wasn't the same in person experience, we were able to share his special day with him.

I hope that each of you are doing well. I think of you all so often. Wish we communicated more often. We love seeing new pictures posted on the frame and instagram- it gives us the feeling of connection and being a part of what is happening with you. We also smile with every text and phone call- so please keep us on your weekly to do list

Love you,

Mom

PS- Enjoy the sunrise picture! A fall morning walk at the apartment.

Hello!

Mom hit the highlights, but I'll add how amazingly much we value hearing from you--even if it's a one line text or a 4 minute call. I often reflect on how we survived my year in Turkey--how I treasured the letters that showed up in my little mailbox sporadically, but consistently. Salve and balm and sweetness for the soul.

I'd have to say my most impactful moment this month was at dinner last Thursday when we listened to our departing missionaries reflect on the subject President Beck asked them to share--tell of a mission event that was a big influence on you. They spoke of new converts submitting mission papers, mothers that experienced pauses in medical conditions that coincided with blessings to their missionaries; overcoming family pressure and resentment at choosing to serve, resolving companionship issues, putting personal focus and priorities on home aside and focusing on serving as the Savior did. It convinces me that we are so richly blessed just to be involved in the lives of these faithful young women and men. I will forever be an advocate for missionary service, for our youth and our seniors. It is hard, it requires intense, not casual preparation, yet is worth it.

On the mundane side, we have new tires on the car, are dreading the departure of our good friends the Blackhams, know some new restaurants in the area, and are finding ways to stay busy at the office. I'm learning how to activate Teen Driver features in our fleet that are already getting rough criticism from our drivers, swapping out SIM cards, and stretching our fleet to cover our expanding population. Just routine business stuff.

I wanted to let you know that my big brother Henry is in rehab in the Blackfoot Hospital, fighting a nasty infection that just about took him this past week. Had a short visit with him today, and while he's recovering, it will be a long row to hoe. Keep him in your prayers.

Stay strong, stay humble, and know we love you so much! We are proud of you!

Dad/Mark