Sunny Weather

Hello Elder Rawson!

Thank your for the email this morning. I always love to hear from you. As far as Scottsdale and the octopus goes—I'm not sure who chose it? The waitress recommended it. She also recommended the oysters. I think it is fun to try new foods. When we eat out with the Bennetts we always go to nice restaurants, so I figure that is a good time to be adventurous. The octopus was ok, but not something I would ever order for myself. And I was really relieved that they didn’t order the oysters, because I’m not sure I’m quite adventurous enough for that! 

I’m glad you had a successful week teaching and finding. Hopefully that continues and your Chinese keeps improving!

Another week in the books. This is what’s happening around here:

1. The weather here has been absolutely fantastic this week. It’s unseasonably hot. Terrible for the snowpack, but so welcome after a long winter.

2. The nice weather means Jett can start practicing soccer outdoors. He likes playing outdoors so much better than indoors.

3. Jett also got to go on his first field trip to the zoo.  He loved it!

4. He has also started going to the library occasionally on Saturday mornings with his new friend Andrew for the chess club.

5. I took Jett to chess club and then picked out books with Tate. We walked over to the playground to play and wait until Jett was finished. I was hoping for a hour to read my book. . . but then Ty Burningham sat next to me and talked my ear off for an hour. He says he misses you SOOO much!

6. Warm weather also means neighborhood cleanup. Your dad was gone all morning Saturday cutting down branches and hauling them to the dump for neighbors. (After taking Jett to his 6:45 AM soccer game.)

7. Your Dad could probably giver a better explanation, but the church is doing something to teach people about tabernacles and temples. My understanding is that they are setting up temporary tabernacles at temple sites and then they are having local youth give tours to people and families that come attend. Ethan and Blake went to a training for it on Saturday, and then in a few weeks they will be able to volunteer for the event at the Bountiful temple in a few weeks. I think Ty will also be participating although he went skiing on Saturday.

8. Later in the afternoon Ethan got to go to a U of U baseball game with his teammates. Dad went along and also took Tate and Jett. They had a great time.

9. Big news! We finally got our broken doorbell fixed.  It's been months. The electricians installed a camera doorbell, so now I can spy on everyone on our porch. It’s sweet.

10.  Your Dad has been working overtime trying to get ready for our trip to New York this week. He has spent so much time planning our activities and getting tickets and reservations. On top of his regular work he’s been putting extra time in at the office for the recruiting committee and the management committee. He has spent hours serving people in the ward and taking care of his church responsibilities.  He booked Ty’s flight for his Humanitarian trip this summer, bought the kids new shoes, and ordered a new family computer, researched options for new cell phones for your brothers, and even managed to play church basketball and have a video game night with the boys. He’s been so busy and has made my life so much easier with all of his attention to detail. I hope he manages to get some good sleep this week, and that he thoroughly enjoys this trip to New York. He deserves it!

Thank you for sharing the quote from Maxine Hanks. It’s so important for us to be willing and able to change our opinions when we learn new information. And it’s so important for us to learn to extend grace to others who are also changing and growing. None of us are perfect. 

Yesterday in Relief Society Karene Warby taught the lesson. She shared a quote from Brad Wilcox (my favorite haha) about the concept of Grace. He likened Grace to piano lessons. A parent pays for piano lessons and requires their child to practice. Practice time is not intended as a punishment, nor will it pay back the parent for the expense of taking lessons. Practice is intended to produce change and capability in the child. God’s grace extends to all and is sufficient. He offers repentance—not as a punishment or even as restitution (though that may be part of the process), but as an opportunity for us to change and grow and increase our capacity. 

I am so please to see you thriving and learning. I hope you have a wonderful week! I love you and am proud of you!

Mom

Hardly any pictures this week!