Dear Sammy,
I’m hustling to get this off to you so you get it before your “email time” is up on p-day.
Hope you have had a great week! I loved your email last week and your recognition/desire to just “be yourself,” regardless of the new language. I found on my mission that the most effective missionaries were the ones that focused more on actual communication than, for example, whether they conjugated all of their verbs correctly. I believe the gift of tongues not only helps missionaries speak the language more perfectly , but also helps investigators and others understand missionaries’ imperfect language!
Anyway, on to the news of the week, which consisted of three big events for me:
1. Scout Camp: Kent and I left early Monday morning with the rest of the boys from our ward to head up for the Stake YM Encampment, which was themed “Rise Up.” The camp was Mon-Thurs. Although Kent is not yet 12, he was permitted to go because he is entering the 7th grade and would otherwise miss out on a scout camp at the back end when he graduates from high school, particularly with the change in the missionary age. Jacob Bloom was also in that category. The only stipulation is that thes 11 year olds had to be accompanied by, and sleep in a tent with, their dad. I was more than happy to go.
The camp was held at Camp Colley, up near Blue Ridge Reservoir. The Camp is owned by the City of Phoenix and Bro. Breinholt had a connection through his mother in law so we could use the camp. It had some nice facilities (a large dining hall with full kitchen; bathrooms with showers and hot water; etc.). I almost wondered whether we could really call it scout camp with such amenities (haha!).
Kent and the scouts focused on merit badges, mostly, including: archery, woodcarving, leatherwork, environmental science, astronomy, climbing, rifle shooting, camping, emergency preparedness, pioneering, and probably a few others I’m forgetting. Kent enjoyed archery and climbing the best. In archery, the boys had to score at least 160 points on the target, using 30 arrows (6 rounds of 5 arrows each). Well, Kent was such a marksman that he accumulated 169 points with only 25 arrows. He really became a pretty good shot. I sent you a picture of him by the target. It was funny that on the round depicted in the photo, Kent was very picky about his last arrow. He had the rangemaster (Bro. Riggs—Maddie’s dad) that he needed to swap out the arrow because it was a little bent. Then, Kent rejected the replacement because the fletching (feather) was not quite right. Meanwhile, all of the rest of the boys had finished their round and were waiting for Kent to shoot his last arrow. I told Kent that if he was going to be such a prima dona about his arrow, he had get a pretty good shot. Apparently, he took my comment to heart because he promptly lined up his shot, pulled back the bow, and hit the edge of the bullseye for a “10.” Well done!
We did rock climbing on a rock face next to Blue Ridge Reservoir. It was a beautiful background and the boys had fun. I had secured the ropes and related gear from my contacts through the BSA climbing training, so we had 4 separate climbing lines and had enough harnesses and gear for 24 boys to go at once. That was great.
We also built a monkey bridge with lashing and knots the boys learned. There was an obstacle course, and the older boys did mountain biking, and orienteering/amazing race type challenge, and other fun stuff.
Kent and the rest of the boys had a fun time and got plenty dirty.
I was in charge of the fireside on Tuesday night, along with the rest of the bishopric. I had the boys play the “scissors” game, and used a couple of sticks instead of scissors. The point of the game was to correctly pass the sticks to your neighbor either “crossed” or “uncrossed.” Of course, the “crossing” had nothing to do with the sticks, but depended rather on whether your legs were crossed at the time you passed the sticks. Once everyone figured it out, I asked the boys what the point of the sticks was in the game. They correctly noted that the sticks were just “distractions” from what was really important. We then used that analogy to talk about how we can avoid distractions in our life that will keep us from focusing on what’s most important. We read through the vision of the tree of life and talked about the mists of darkness and the scoffing people in the great and spacious building as distractions, and then discussed distractions the boys face (moral issues, negative peer pressure, etc.) that Satan attempts to use to keep them from focusing on and achieving what’s most important—priesthood service, mission, temple worthiness, etc. I thought it went well. Afterwards, we had rootbeer floats with homemade root beer that Bro. Crotts brought up.
2. Mt. Humphreys Family Hike: I’m afraid I might not have enough time to give the full scoop on this, as Mom just called and said you were on line right now, so maybe I’ll send another email later that you can get next week. In the meantime, Mom’s email can suffice. In short, we had a fun time. Amber had no problems at all; Lindsay did even better that I ever expected; and Kent, bless his heart, got a headache and upset stomach from the altitude, but persevered. The weather was beautiful. It’s almost always windy and a little cold on top, but we were prepared for that. I send you a couple of pics. The trees, forest, and views in general were outstanding. We could look down on the inner basin, Weatherford trail, and even the Abineau-Bear Jaw loop, and reminisce on some of our prior hikes. I was proud of the whole family. We will have to make a trip when you return and get you up on top of Arizona as well!
We did have one disturbing moment on the hike though: As Kent, Lindz, and I were hiking down, we leap-frogged back and forth with a couple of women, as each of us would take breaks. Well, with about 3/4 of a mile left on the return trip, the two women were in front of me, and one of them pulled off the side of the trail about 10 feet or so, and promptly dropped her drawers and invited the rest of us trail-goers to participate in the view! I suppose I could understand if it were a real emergency, but she didn't seem to be in any distress and in fact carried on a casual conversation with her hiking buddy while doing her business. Talk about TMI! Thankfully, Kent was in front of them at the time (and didn’t see anything), and Lindsay was far enough behind and/or not paying close enough attention to notice. But, c'mon people, have some decency--particularly when there are kids on the trail! Oh well. Thankfully, the Peaks are too impressive to let that disturbing jolt of exhibitionism ruin the trip!
3. Stake Conference / High Council: I was released from the bishopric and called as a high councilor. I’m a bit sad to be leaving the bishopric, as it has been a fun and fulfilling calling, but also looking forward to new challenges on the high council. Bro. Crotts was also released and called as a high councilor. My responsibilities will include working with the youth (assisting the stake YM/YW presidencies), as well as specific assignment for our ward, among other things. Looking forward to figuring it all out.
As a result of Bro. Crott’s and my new callings, we will be shaking up the ward this next Sunday. No speculation here, but Bro. Beecroft was made a high priest at stake conference, and Bro. Morris was released from the high council . . . . I think the change will be good for the ward, and the ward members will probably be happy to see some new faces on the pulpit.
Well, I better hit send on this so you can see it before you have to sign off. Sorry I didn’t get this done yesterday and am having to rush. Know that we love you and could not be more proud of your service. I get lots of people telling me they enjoy your blog. Bro. Nelson commented this morning in an email to me that he sure enjoyed following your blog and said that you sound like you are having a wonderful experience. I’m sure that’s true, even though I also am sure there are challenges and tough times.
Hang in there and keep working hard.
LOOOVVVE YOU!!!
Dad
Dear Samantha,
Dear Samantha,
Well, as per usual lately, Dad has nicely summed up the most interesting part of our week:), so you may want to read his letter first because it is very descriptive!
I hope you know that I love you very much and that I pray for you daily. I pray that angels will guide you and hold you up and strengthen you. I pray that the Lord will bless you with the gift of tongues and that Spanish will become second nature to you. I pray that you will be protected and that your faith will grow. I pray that you will love the people and that they will love you and feel of your spirit and love.
Most of my week before Havasupi was pretty nondescript, just cycle class, tutoring C. and shopping for the trip.
I was a little nervous about so little sleep (you know how grumpy I can get if I don't get enough sleep) for our trip to Havasupi, but it worked out great! My feet were really tired and sore when we got to the campground on Thursday, but I took flip flops this year and that made a big difference! I think that soaking them in the cold water also helped alot!!
I was so concerned about how much they hurt that when I went to be that night I thought I might not be able to make it to Beaver Falls the next morning, but they felt better and I was glad I did not miss that adventure! I think that Friday was the most fun that I have ever had hiking, and I mean ever! It felt like such an adventure and I enjoyed every moment! It was kind of sad when we made it back to Mooney Falls and went back to camp, but it was good too.
I was so proud of the kids (just like I was with you and Paige when you came with us)! They did not complain and I really think that they had a good time. It is something really nice that we can share hiking as a family! We have Dad to thank for that!
On the drive home, I was kind of feeling the hiking/adventure high for a little bit, but then I got really tired, but I was afraid to sleep because I was concerned about Dad. He drove the whole way both ways. Although he can function much better on so little sleep, I know that he was pretty tired there at the end. So I stayed awake to try and keep him awake too! He did great and we made it home safe and sound.
8 am church sure comes early when you have only had about 3 hours of sleep! I thought that maybe I wouldn't have to bear my testimony yesterday when they released Dad, but they called me up and I had to go first. I always get really nervous because I am out of the mode of speaking in public. Not really sure what I had to say, but hopefully it was coherent. Dad is such a good speaker and bore his testimony using a personal experience and an analogy (he talks about it more in his letter). I told him after he sat down that I thought he is a great speaker and I'm not sure if it is because I love him so much or just because he really is a great speaker. He inspires me everyday to become a better person and to strengthen my testimony.
I made it through most of church without dosing (it is days like yesterday that it is actually really nice to be the teacher...hard to fall asleep when you are the one talking!), at least until music time in Primary! Came home from church, ate some lunch and slept hard for a few hours! Feeling much better today!!!
Last night we went to Grandma's to celebrate the birthday's from the past few months. Aunt Kathy and Aunt Julie are over in Asia visiting John and Erika and family and doing a lot of traveling. Most everyone else was there. Jacob said that he will only be in the Chile MTC for 2 weeks (he is excited about that) because he knows so much Spanish. Kim is working at McDonald's this summer and will go to MCC in the fall. Everyone seems to have some fun summer plans in the works.
It is funny because Karen & Dan are doing their yearly Cali trip only a couple of weeks before Ryan gets home (they will only be an hour or so away from him, but won't be able to see him for a couple of weeks).
Ellen and Eric were there too, they seem to be doing fine. They bought a puppy (which none of us can imagine why they did, but whatever...Ellen said it's better than a baby:)). She also has a June birthday so Gma talked a little about her. She is quite musical and is a dancer as well. She also has done a lot of musical theater. She is thinking about doing some plays while they are here before going back to California for school.
Grandma is so funny! She highlighted Hayley and one of the points that she made was that Hayley had worn her (gma's) dress from 60 years ago. She commented that she really was once as small (thin) as Hayley and that Hayley better take a look at Grandma now because that was her future. We were all laughing! (and teasing grandma!)
Lindsay and Kent are really enjoying their math classes (yeah!!). Especially Lindsay. I think it is because it is a small group and she can really ask for help and the teacher can tell if she is really getting the concept or not. I hope it will give her some confidence going into school in the fall. They both had to miss Thursday and Lindsay was sad to miss it:)!
Amber and Kaylee P. are doing the kids camp this week for the girls (they have about 7 girls). I am taking them shopping this afternoon to pick up supplies. It will be good for them to work out all the kinks with the little girls this week and then in a couple weeks when they have the boys come they will have a good game plan going. I am trying to be helpful but not take over. I will be here and can step in if they need anything, but I think that they will be fine.
Well, missionary daughter, I want you to know that my faith is growing while you are serving the Lord! Thank you for your dedication and testimony of the gospel, it strengthens all of us to have you serving a mission. I love you and send you more hugs and kisses!!!
Love,
Mom
