Is January Over Yet?
Hello my dear! It was great to talk to you today and read your emails. I’m just amazed at all of the people you are teaching and finding, and I’m amazed at your language and teaching skills. You are giving everything to serving well, and I’m so proud of you. I love that you are having the opportunity to meet different kinds of people with diverse life experiences and beliefs. What an interesting opportunity to be invited to the Buddhist temple! And what a growing opportunity to take a leap of faith and contact people on the train. And how nerve wracking to speak in church on short notice in a second language and translate for others in difficult subjects! How funny/not funny to get locked out of your apartment and have to sleep in your clothes. How frustrating to have friends miss appointments or opportunities for true conversion. But also how rewarding to create deep bonds and watch people’s lives change as they embrace the gospel. Ah. What a great thing this mission has been for you!
This is what we’ve been up to:
1. January is dragging, and the last couple of weeks have brought sad news. Funerals two weekends in a row. This week I was able to go visit with Aunt Tiff and learn a little bit more about her Dad. Duke’s funeral was on Saturday and it was a really nice, inspiring service. And even though the last several years of his life were very difficult, they did provide an opportunity for him to reflect on his mortality and do his best to right any wrongs or offenses he may have made against others. The family didn’t know that he wouldn’t survive the surgery, but they did have time to have meaningful conversations with him before he died, which I hope will be a comfort to them. At the funeral there was a whole picture board devoted to the friendship between Duke and Great Grandpa Reed. Great Nana was a bit overwhelmed and exhausted and had to go home to rest after the viewing. They were very close to Duke.
2. I also got to spend an afternoon visiting with my friend Allison and letting her tell me about the weeks leading up to her Mom’s death. And we took a plant over to Zach Jacobs who also lost his father unexpectedly last week. It’s good to mourn with those you love, but so difficult to find the right words of comfort!
3. Sometimes I totally feel like I’m starting to have memory loss or something. Calendaring is such a challenge for me! I accidentally missed Ethan’s physical therapy appointment and then showed up at the wrong time for mine. And I didn’t see the time change for Jett’s soccer practice, so I dropped him off an hour early and then had to turn right back around to go get him. And I forgot to tell the kids to take Tate over to a birthday party on Saturday morning while I was at the funeral. I need a personal assistant!
4. So here’s a funny story along the same lines. Last week we had the EQ presidency over for dinner and I met a lady (Rachael) who has a daughter a few months younger than Tate. We talked about getting them together to play sometime. And then on Sunday I ran into Elise Anderson who lives across the street from us and we realized her daughter was also a good age to play with Tate. On Tuesday I got a text from Elise inviting Tate to come play. I got confused about who I was texting, and in my mind was picturing Rachael. So I took Tate over and dropped him off at Rachael’s house. I reminded her that I’d be in Centerville for the next hour and a half and then I’d come pick him up. And then. About half an hour later I got a text from Elise asking if Tate was still planning to come play. Oh my gosh! I am such an idiot! I just dropped my 4yo off at the house of someone I had only met once and basically told her she would be babysitting my kid for the next hour and a half! Mortifying. Dad says it’s an endearing quality.
5. I’m not sure if I’ve told you this, but we are most likely going to not put Tate in Kindergarten next year. But it makes me sad to think of him not starting school with his buddies. So I’ve been trying to find some new friends for him to play with that will be starting the same year.
6. I got to visit Dr. Robison this week to zap a few spots on my face, and I’m so glad I made the appointment 4 months ago because my stupid awful rash came back on my leg and it itches like crazy! I haven’t had the rash since the first year we did allergy shots together. And now it’s back. I hope that doesn’t mean that my allergies are going to get bad again.
7. I also got to take Jett to the orthodontist for the first time. Dr. Brown said he could have the option of doing braces in two phases like you, or waiting until he’s a bit older like Ethan. I actually really liked having you get the braces a little younger so that your permanent teeth could grow in straight, but Jett seems adamant that he likes his teeth the way they are. He’s on a kick where he likes to call himself ugly. Sigh. But also, he really not good at brushing and flossing, so I’m just not sure if it’s great timing for him. Dr. Brown did give me good news that he has a more affordable alternative to Invisalign, so maybe I’ll get my teeth straightened as well. We’ll see what the budget allows.
8. Dad and I got to spend the evening with Dan and Alisa on Friday. They made us dinner and then we watched a movie together. A murder mystery that was delightful! I wanted to watch it again when it was over so I could go back and watch for all of the clues. Afterwards we spent the night in a hotline Salt Lake because we had a free night that was going to expire soon. Fun night!
9. Extended family news: Maddy moved to Denver this week. Rob and Leisja’s house is supposed to be done by the end of February. Doesn’t seem likely, but they are clipping away. Leisja’s dad has been doing chemo and has had a very significant reduction in the numbers they were monitoring, so that is great news for him. May be doing surgery soon. Krysta had PRK to correct her eyesight . Yay for her! She’s going to love it.
10.I accepted a position with the Endeavour PTA as Legislative VP for the year, but I’m just not feeling it, and I feel a bit guilty. I haven’t really attended the meetings, because the legislative season hadn’t begun and I didn’t feel like I had anything to contribute. But the session has now begun and the legislature is well underway causing damage to the state. It’s so discouraging. I’m really feeling like civic engagement is pretty pointless right now because there are no checks on the legislature’s power and they are going to do whatever they want with no repercussions. Feels like maybe it would just be better for me to stop caring? Sigh.
Off to bed.
Love you, Mom
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