11/29/20 - Family Letter

Sister Barlow This is the first week after you've been gone, and I don't know if anything is supposed to have changed. I'm going back to school, at least, for now. I don't know how long that is going to last though, because everyone did Thanksgiving with their families. cases are higher than ever. I had a panic today when I remembered that auditions for Matilda were on monday! I'm pretty sure they're on the 7th now, but that was an anxiety level that shouldn't be possible. I'd like to tell you about my week, but not much has happened. i've just been relaxing and waiting. Logan somehow got himself grounded for a month, and someone in Easton's family got exposed. And everyone else is keeping safe (wisely) and so i've just been kinda chillin here. I hope you're acclimating well, and I feel you're doing the work, and I know the Lord is watching over you. Good luck sister. Hyrum "The Ham" Barlow

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Girl I miss you so much! This week has been good. We put the bunk beds back in my room (So I had to rearrange everything) . I was really sad at first but then as soon as we got everything set up it looked so cute. I LOVE IT!!!! I haven't seen all of your pics but from what I saw it looks like you're having a blast! I have my newsies audition on Wednesday. I'm so nervous. If you could pray for me that I will be able to have confidence and do well, I would really appreciate that. Anyway, online school has been weird, but good at the same time.IIts been weird because I can't see most of my friends. but it's been good because I get to have snacks in class. I FINISHED THE PUZZLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm really proud of that.:) Sister Barlow you are an awesome missionary! I can't wait to hear about your first week! Know that you are loved and supported from Utah. 

- Younger Sister Barlow 

😘 Sweet Eve, November 29, 2020 We absolutely adore your pictures that come through google photos! We are excited to hear all about the people and places you are experiencing! How do you like your trainer? From your facebook, it looks like you are in South Dakota? If so, Dad was thinking he needs to get a South Dakota pin to go along with his North Dakota pin for his suit. Today he wore a handsome royal blue/black polka dot tie with identical socks (that match the North Dakota pin perfectly). He looked sharp! 

Emma and Matt came for dinner today. Emma helped Mari with her “Newsies” audition dance and then we watched a Christmas movie with popcorn. We have the house set up for Christmas. You know we were all worried that Joey would eat the ornaments? No worries so far! We discovered that his favorite place to be is sleeping underneath the Christmas tree. I wonder if it feels like a den to him. Yesterday we walked another section of the Jordan River Parkway trail. It was beautiful sunny weather. Joey LOVED that walk. He was such a HAPPY DOG the rest of the day! 

 Did you find out where we should send your Christmas package or your bag of clothes? We hope to get those sent to you in plenty of time for Christmas. Now that you’re in the field, is there anything you would like us to send you for Christmas? Here’s a special experience in personal revelation: As I was reading the Church News about the “Light the World 2020” effort, it came to me that I could use some of the service suggestions in my music classes (not exactly anything to do with music, but EVERYTHING to do with Christ!) I’ve decided to encourage Service among my students. Each time they do an act of service they can write it on a strip of paper and I will add it onto a chain to go all around the music room. These strips of papers will be on a small table with a picture of Christ and a little sign that says: “As we serve others, we serve God” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25: 35-45. This week I will introduce the Service Chain. Throughout December I will look for opportunities to ask the students about their service and how it made them feel. I used most of the suggestions directly from the “Light the World” calendar. One of my favorites is “Think about a time that you have felt Jesus’ love for you. Share your story with a friend or family member” and “Spend time with your family or cousins on a virtual hangout.” I love teaching at a Christian school! I also love that they modified the "Light the World' for social distancing opportunities! I can’t wait to hear all about your first week in the mission field! We miss you but are so proud of you! The hardest part was saying goodbye...but it didn’t take long to feel the PURE JOY that comes from knowing that you are doing exactly what Heavenly Father wants you to be doing right now. I have no doubt! I hope you feel His love for you! I know it won’t always be easy...or hard...but I DO know that He will be with you through everything! 

Love Forever 

💜Mom 

 Millie, 

We have been eager to hear how your first week went. Your pictures have been revealing. It looks like you had a good trip to Mt. Rushmore and a decent Thanksgiving dinner. Then you were able to decorate the mission home for Christmas with your new companion. Does that sound about right. If so, what a great way to start the mission. We have been thinking about you all week and can't wait to receive your email about Week #1 in the field. Our time here went about how you would expect minus the chaos that normally accompanies Thanksgiving. I did not need to take any meds for headaches this year. We were very low key. We pounded some leftovers. Hyrum talked Mom into the playing the Haunted House on the Hill game and then played all the pieces. Emma and Matt joined us for the game and Emma won without knowing it. We got all the decorations up with Emma's help. It was a very easy transition into Christmas. Everyone was asking about you at church today. They all commented that I need to have a more accurate pin on my jacket if you are in South Dakota. I will have to look into what it will cost to get a South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Minnesota pins. We have started "lighting the beacon" hoping folks who pass by will offer a prayer for you. Does this mean we need to get South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Minnesota flags too? This tradition is getting complicated. This is my last week with the old job before I transition. There is a lot that needs to be done in order to make a smooth transition. The beauty of it is that it does not require any of my attention. It feels weird to be trying something new after 15 years in the same role. Here's to hoping it was really a good idea to make the change. Love you kid. I'm excited to see how you progress. Let us know what you need. We will do what we can to support you from here. Remember your training and you will be fine. 

Love, 

Dad 

Ether 12:5-6