Last Week at the MTC!

Hey there—

I’ve been thinking about you all week. I’m hoping you have enjoyed your last week in the MTC and have soaked up every last bit of edification and inspiration from your devotionals and musical numbers. What a life-changing opportunity this has been for you! Never again in your life will you have the time and ability to devote all your energies to gospel study and service. So make the most of it! I know you have. I’m so proud of you and the effort you have put in to becoming a strong missionary, and I know you will make a difference in those you teach, serve with, and in your own life. Is tomorrow the day you fly out? You must be so excited! And maybe nervous? I’m guessing you have mixed emotions about leaving the MTC, but mostly you are ready to begin the next phase of your mission. It’s going to be great, and I can't wait to hear about the new adventures coming your way! 

***If at all possible—please sent a quick message when you board your flight, and again when you land. It will put me at ease knowing you’ve traveled safely and that there was someone to pick you up at the airport! I need to know you have a place to sleep when you arrive in a foreign country!

I’m sorry the cafeteria has been so bad lately. I’m glad you are getting out before it gets too much more crazy there! I sent you your hair trimmer, and the watch band in the same package. I also found some gospel quotes in the young women’s closet at church and decided to throw those in as well.  Maybe there is something in there to inspire you? I sent your sandals, pants, socks, some books, and another box of donuts. Hopefully everything made it in time!

We had a great week and got some much needed R&R. Have I told you how much I love summertime? This is what we’ve been up to:

1. Sunday night we had dinner at Grandma Rawson’s house and celebrated Tommy’s birthday. Ella is practicing doing people’s nails, so she painted my nails in a patriotic pattern for the holiday. They turned out super cute.

2. On Wednesday we packed up and drove to Grand Junction to visit Dana and Tanner’s family for the Fourth of July weekend. We got a bit of a late start (of course) and pulled into Grand Junction just barely too late to enjoy the fireworks show, but exactly at the right time to get stuck in gridlocked traffic. At one point someone dared Blake to get out of the car and do pushups on the sidewalk while we waited. Instead he did The Worm on the sidewalk, and that was entertaining. We didn’t end up going to the fireworks show on the Fourth and I think Blake was disappointed. We will have to make sure and do that next year.

3. In Grand Junction we played games and played in the pool. Dana introduced us to a new version of Azul—the Summer Pavilion expansion. I was terrible at it, but loved it and wanted to keep playing. Alice taught me how to play Ultimate Tic Tac Toe and totally beat me. We also did a really cool wooden puzzle. Very relaxing.

4. Dad, Ethan, Jett, and Tanner played 18 holes of golf in the blazing heat. And then Dad and Tanner played again another day. Apparently the courses were just beautiful.

5. On Friday we went to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and ticked one more park off our list. One day at the park was plenty. We did a couple of hikes and admired the view of the canyon. I found a funny book in the gift shop that highlighted bad reviews of National Parks. Apparently Black Canyon of the Gunnison is “Just not impressive.”

6. We drove through the Monument on our way home on Sunday. Lovely views, windy roads. When we pulled into the neighborhood there were a ton of emergency vehicles at Endeavour Elementary, and all the neighbors were out watching. Apparently a couple of teenagers climbed onto the roof. Enough emergency responders were called to cover all of the exits so the kids couldn’t run off and escape. I heard they broke windows and caused damage inside, but I don’t know for sure. Im guessing their parents were super excited to get that phone call.

7. Michael got to run the lower Salmon with guests, and is enjoying the good tips he’s making. He got invited onto someone’s boat to watch the fireworks over the water with looked absolutely beautiful. He had a wild, late night—of course he did. And then another early morning working. He is so tan. Like really, really tan!

8. Nana sent us some pictures of her glass cabinets shattered. She said they shattered because of the neighbors fireworks!

9. This week I’ve been totally sucked in by the news. There was a Presidential debate last week that was just awful. But the main takeaway was that Biden seemed tired, and at times incoherent. Frankly Trump always seems incoherent to me, but maybe that’s expected? The debate sparked concerns that Biden has mentally and physically declined and is not up to the job as president for the next 4 years. This has been the main criticism of his candidacy for a long time. "He’s too old.” But after the debate there has been serious talk within his own party that he should drop his reelection bid and allow someone else to take the democratic nomination. I never would have predicted this happening at this stage of the race. Biden says he will only step down if the “Lord Almighty” comes down and tells him to. But this week he may be asked to step down by his allies and fundraisers. It’s a disaster and looking more and more like Trump will be reelected. 

This week the Supreme Court issued a ruling that presidents have both civil and criminal immunity for official acts—regardless of motive. Conservative judges on the court are saying this is common sense and no big deal. Liberal judges could not disagree more strongly. They think the ruling has made the president a “king above the law.” “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.” Sotomayor issued a statement ending with, “For fear of our democracy, I dissent.” Truth or histrionics? Time will tell. But it certainly its the stakes for this election because Trump like no other will test the limits of his power.

10. Leisja and Robby asked us to join in a family fast for them on Sunday. They have decided to try and adopt another child and are preparing a portfolio for prospective birth moms to consider. They are such good people and good parents, and I hope this process goes smoothly for them.

That’s all I’ve got! I hope you have a great day. I know it’s a busy one! Good luck tomorrow!

Love you, Mom