Last week's letter was SO GOOD! That letter from Huang Mama just made me cry, it was so so sweet. I LOVE that letter. How is everyone doing? I'm so grateful for your incredible example, dedication, positivity. I can't wait for all your news this week. How is Song Jia Qing? LOVE THE PRAYER ROCK. How was the week for the Dong family? How is Zhou Zhi Cheng? Is he the one that said he didn't want to get baptized because he couldn't uphold his end of the bargain because he is a cripple? That was a tear jerker. We've been praying for him and his father all week.
WE had a crazy rainstorm out here this week, too! It has been mostly 100 degrees outside, and we all of a sudden out of nowhere got GOLF SIZED HAIL! It was totally wicked!
How is Hongvilia? HOW ARE YOU?
It has been an interesting week this week. I could write for hours.
Your Dad has had strep in his whole body and has been in a lot of pain this week. He is doing a lot better now. It's hard to see him suffer.
Tuesday night we had a memorial for Tony, my first cousin. He is Lisa's brother, Jolyn's son (my Dad's sister that died of MS) and an uncle to Bronwen, Mason, Manon, Willa and Griffin. He had some super super difficult challenges in his childhood and beyond, and I think it was all just too much. He turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms and in the end left the world behind, but not intentionally. Truly, I do not know anyone on this planet who couldn't use one more sincere and loving friend. I could have reached out and helped him so much more. Even though he was mostly homeless, Lisa could have given him a letter from me, if there was one. I am filled with so much tearful remorse. I hope I can remember the lesson that everyone everyone everyone needs love.
His Dad got up and openly admitted how he had failed him, and left them, and how sorry he was. The whole thing was quite an experience.
They talked at his memorial about how his heart was too big for this world. I think that is true. He felt everything so so so deeply, and his Dad leaving him, and his mom dying of MS, it was all so much. He didn't have God in his life to go through it with. Oh Mook, thank you for working so hard to find the Tony's out there. Look in their eyes and listen, and tell them someone does love, and does care.
Seth was so darling this morning I thought I would explode with his cuteness. He said "Mom, let's fast every day this week and only eat dinner all week so we can give more money to the poor." Oh, that kid lights up my world.
We were able to go Wednesday night to the temple to do sealings with a lot of our primary temple workers. It was so beautiful, the Spirit was so strong. The sealer would be performing the ordinance sealing a son or daughter to his/her parents and just be overcome with emotion. Very sweet.
Every morning we have practice here for Muppet Treasure Island play. 22 kids come and sing and say lines and it's SO SO FUN! Why do I love that so much?
Thursday was Bronwen's wedding and it was so precious, so beautiful, so much fun. Oh, Mooksta, the world is a big, wonderful place. Ben's family is so educated, like Ivy League, Cambridge, stuff like that. They have all served in the foreign service, a job I wasn't even aware existed. You live in a foreign country and entertain traveling diplomats and oversee the face of American culture in that country. Pretty cushy really. His parents live in Tanzania now, after living in New Delhi and Nepal helping with nutrition projects. Incredible people. It was an inspiring day. Bronwen and Ben went on thier first date 5 years ago. It was a wonderful day.
That night we also went to see Angie's new house in Provo! They are moving to Provo and have a BEAUTIFUL set up right between the two Provo temples up on the hill.
Friday was the second half of Tony's funeral. We sat on the hill where we have spent so much time the last several years. We sat near the graves of Nana, Grandpa Bill, Kim Steven, Jolyn, and now Tony's ashes will be buried by his mother and grandmother. Grandpa Jello gave such an incredible talk about how Tony is released from his addictions and freed to progress, and in the arms of his mother and grandmother who loved him so much.
Church was BEAUTIFUL today. I'm so grateful for the Savior. I love him so much.
George Pemberton got up and gave an incredible testimony today. He also announced that they told the CES teachers (Church Education System), that chapels would be used for secular schooling, regular schooling. People especially in poor countries will soon be able to walk into a mormon church and obtain a doctorate degree. They also announced churches will be used for Christian, non mormon messages because the moral climate of the world is deteriorating so fast they want to offer a lot of options for everyone. Pretty cool stuff.
Aunt Nic gave a powerful testimony today. She is holding on to a tiny flame of faith after Lewis's death, but she got up and bore the witness she could and shared the faith she had.
We laid sod, saw Laura's wonderful play (one of the best yet), and had lots of fun adventures. Life is ridiculously scrumptious, playing out in this golden haze of blessings. I hunger to be more consecrated. How can one girl be so blessed? YOU ARE ONE OF MY GREATEST BLESSINGS OF ALL TIME. How can I ever ever live to show enough gratitude for simply the privilege of being your mom, of getting to see your beautiful life.
Joseph is saying crud nuggets, can you talk to him about that pleasE?
LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!
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