My
dear Cole,
I have to tell you
something that would be much easier face to face, but that's not our life at
the moment. Your Great Grandpa Clark passed away on Tuesday, Veteran's
Day. We all felt that it was very appropriate that he passed away on that
day considering his great service in WWII. He was ready to move on to the
next part of his life and get to work he said. He was cremated and they
will bury his ashes in the spring in Rockford, IL. So, they weren't
really going to do a funeral or anything so it was kind of weird, like a
"so anyways" kind of moment. Grandma, Mark and Sally decided to
do a family dinner and share some memories. We did that last night at our
church. Everyone brought food and we visited while we ate and did crosswords
:) After that we went into the Relief Society Room and put the chairs in
a big circle (there were about 38 people there) We sang I Stand
All Amazed , that and I Know That My Redeemer Lives, were
Grandpas favorite hymns. We only sang the first one. Then Sally,
Grandma and Mark shared some memories. Sally spoke for maybe 3-4 minutes,
Grandma about 5-6 and then Mark went on for about 45-50 minutes. It was
kind of long and late! He did have a video to show after he was done
talking that had Grandpa talking about his family (it was videod about 12 years
ago). So we ended with Grandpa's own words. It was a nice night
remembering him. I'm sorry to share this news with you in writing.
I didn't feel like it was something I needed to call your mission president
about either. I hope you understand how happy he is to not be suffering
and in pain anymore and that he can be busy again. Sitting around doing
nothing really wasn't his thing so having no physical limitations will be a
huge blessing for him. Every time someone we loves passes on it makes me
reflect on the eternal nature of families. I think it also reminds me
that they are on the other side rooting for us and watching over us. At
Preston's setting apart his Mom talked about his grandparents walking along
with him while he would be on his mission. I love that idea that your great
grandparents and others are looking out for you! We love you so much and
love that you are out teaching others the possibility of an eternal family so
that when they too lose loved ones they can be comforted. So keep on
working and teaching to bring that joy to others!
Well, that being said,
we had a little snow this week and it has been so cold! Down into the
teens at night! It seems like we went from having the fan in our window
at night to this bitter cold. We definitely got spoiled having warm
weather for so long. We put snow tires on the van so hopefully that will
help when we get big snow storms. We only got an inch or so on the grass,
nothing on the roads yet. Which was a good thing because Dad is out of
town and I don't have any other men here, it's just me and the girls!! Dad will
be back Wednesday and he's been gone since Thursday. For mutual on
Wednesday we took the combined YW (only 6 out of 16 went) to the Draper temple
to do baptisms. It was packed!! I've never seen it like that. They
had to open two chapels across the hall from the font chapel waiting
area. We were there 3 1/2 hours. We had to take two girls home
before they even got to do baptisms. It was nearly 10 before we left the
temple. Crazy!
Lindsay is having her
baby tomorrow! Well, that's the plan anyway. If anything happens
tomorrow I'll email you. They are all very excited for little Rex to come
to their family. We will send pictures!
Did you get my Greenie
Package? I sent it on Wednesday, it should have been delivered to the
mission office on Friday and then they forward it to you. I don't know
how long that takes. Can you give us your address to where you are living
now? Can I send your thanksgiving package straight there? Or do they not
want us to do that? Maybe I asked that last time and you answered me, I
can't remember?!? We have a jacket, gloves, MP3 player and a speaker to
send. I'm just waiting to get confirmation on what music I can send you
from the mission office. I just want to double check before I send
it. The one bad thing about the mp3 is that if someone sends you a CD I'm
not sure how you could add it. Maybe a member could do it for you. I
forget that you do have families out there that will help you :) Have you
met any families that you guys spend much time with? What about
Thanksgiving? What will you guys do that day?
Your picture from the
MTC pointing at the map is my computer wallpaper so you are always there
in the kitchen! If you think about it take a closer up landscape picture
of you or you with your companion and we can put that up :)
How are your
investigators doing? What do you do for lunch? Do you have
your own kitchen? Are you still being chased by dog's daily? That was a
funny story, but I'm glad you didn't get bit! I posted on facebook the
other day that one good thing about you being on a mission is that I don't have
to struggle with determining which socks are yours and which ones are Dads!
That really has been nice :) We've been listening to Christmas music and
have watched a few Christmas movies already. Dad suggested the movies
already!
Do you have any ideas
for Christmas presents? Is there anything you need/want? Gift cards
to places? Supplies (church pamphlets, pictures,etc...), people are
starting to ask. Does your companion get packages? How are you two
getting along? Is it weird living with someone you don't know? Do
you have your own apartment or just a room in her house?
Cole, I am so
happy you are out serving the Lord. Every time I look at one of your
pictures it just makes me smile to think what you are doing, that you are
spreading the gospel to the people of California! I love it every
second! I love you Cole!
Love,
Mom
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