Letters to my Children

Dear Michael, This will be a quick letter because we got to talk to you just a few days ago. I’m glad you had “The Best Thanksgiving Ever.” I’m so glad that you were able to have a nice dinner at the mission President’s house and that you also had some lessons set up and could teach that day. I can tell you are thriving as a missionary! New from home: 1. We had a busy Thanksgiving weekend! We ate at Grandma and Grandpa Rawson’s house this year, and all of your dad’s siblings were able to be there. It was full house with lots of noisy children and delicious food! What a great holiday. It’s lovely to have a day set aside to spend with family and friends and reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for. 2. I got to volunteer in Jett’s classroom for their feast day as well, and Tate was happy to tag along. For the classroom feast we served chicken nuggets, tater tots, and fresh fruit. So when Thanksgiving day came Tate wanted to make sure that I brought some chicken nuggets to Gra

News from home: 1. It’s kind of been a slow week. Dad has been working really long hours and he’s tired and burned out. He’s just had so much to do and it’s not going to let up anytime soon.  2. I’m wondering if Steve feels a little bad about how much Dad is working because he gave Dad some really good Jazz tickets on Tuesday night.  Ty and Blake and Dad and I went for dinner and the game. We had a great night out. Ethan got to do baptisms for the dead with his quorum, and the littles got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone was happy! Dad also had 4 tickets to the Jazz game on Friday because he is coaching Jr Jazz, so he took Ethan, Jett and Tate that night. Dad says the Jazz are fun to watch this year because they were not expected to be good, but they are pretty scrappy. I was pleasantly surprised that they had male dancers doing hip hop with the Jazz dancers for half time. It was awesome! 3. Ethan got in to see Dr. Tyson this week. Dr Tyson said is is NOT normal for his k

Hello my dear! I hope you had a great week. How did everything go with Eric’s baptism? I hope it was perfect. So glad to hear you had a great turnout at church and are continuing to find new people to teach. Sounds like you had a wonderful experience with Jenny in the temple. I’m so glad you are able to teach and see people’s lives change. Those men riding the train! Holy cow! Crazy. What an adventure! We had a fun week. 1. Today was the primary program at church, and there were a TON of visitors—including Grandma and Grandpa Rawson. I guess it’s a thing to invite grandparents? Tate got to come up to the microphone and say “I think the temple is beautiful,” and Jett got to sing “I love to see the temple” with his class.  I got to sit up on stage with them and did not end up having to teach the lesson I prepared.  Nice. 2. I did not manage to make it in to the gym this week, and am feeling bugged that I signed up already knowing my schedule was full. Hopefully this is the week I can get

Dear Michael, What a great letter this week! I’m glad you are having such success with your companions. It sounds like you have a really good thing going, and they are ready and willing to work hard. What a fun opportunity to train them both. That’s excellent that you had so many friends attend church with you, and also that you are able to attend the temple with Jenny to do baptisms for her family. What a special experience that must be for her. Yay for pumpkin parties with funny friends! Yay for biking up steep hills and not dying! Yay for interesting weather! Boo for middle-of the-night fire alarms! (We’ve got experience with this one.) Yay for spicy food and decent burritos! Yay for people who are earnestly seeking the gospel and doing their best to liken scriptures. I am so glad you are having this opportunity to meet these amazing people from different walks of life. I’m thrilled to see you learning and stretching yourself. Soak it all in! Life is pressing on here. Some things ar