12/13/20 - Family Letter

Hello friend I have good news! I made Matilda! I'm a Little Kid. I don't know what that means. SilverRush is going well, but it's almost over, and that's pretty sad. I don't know what to write about honestly. I'm woefully unprepared for all the recitals I have next week. I have my choir recital on Wednesday, and I have both the voice recital and the piano recital on friday. so yeah. Idk. Hope you're doing good.

Hyrum

HEY!! SISTER BARLOW!!! OVER HERE!!!

Heyo, so I made Newsies! I'm in the ensemble. Yay!!! I also had to stand outside at petersons for 2 hours(SBO stuff) It was actually really fun! We raised about $200. Also our charity is " Make a wish" It's a charity where we grant wishes for kids that suffer with life threatening diseases.  It's a very cool charity. Also we have our recitals next on Saturday. I'm not very prepared so im gonna practice a lot this next week. I got to have a sleepover with sami this week. That was really fun! we stayed up till midnight( on accident)  😂

I think that's pretty much it! I hope you had a good week and I can't wait to hear all about it. 

BYE SISTER BARLOW!!!!!!!

xoxo Mari 😜

Sweet Eve,

How are you? Thanks for sending the pics!  You look beautiful as always!  My favorite video clip that came through was when you were walking on the side of the road talking about sharing a Christmas message and you said, "Don't reject us, we're servants of the Lord!"  Also, I liked the video when you were all trying to teach about Joseph Smith and kept cracking up!  You make us smile!

This week has been good.  Dad is much more relaxed now that he took that new job.  It's wonderful.  I think I like my job, but I'm still a bit intimidated and hope I'm meeting their expectations.  I want to do a good job.  They tell me I'm doing a really good job.  I need to work on believing them.  I started keeping a "Positive Moments Teaching Music" journal to prove to myself that I am making a difference.  So far, it's helping me see the good. Dad challenged Emma to keep a 'Positive Moments Teaching Dance" journal for her times of self-doubt too.  If you ever have self-doubts, I would encourage you to do the same.  It seems that when you can look back on the positive, you can see your growth and the impact you are having much better than when you're in the moment.  

Dad did a great job speaking in R3 ward today.  He brought his steel bar and explained about the refining process and how it applies to overcoming trials.  He also spoke of the 3 levels of Christmas (Santa level, Nativity level, Adult Christ level).  He talked about the joy of all 3 levels but how many people aren't comfortable with the Adult Christ level because the Adult Christ expects things of them.  He said that the Adult Christ level of Christmas is the only level we can satisfactory live in year round.  He is such a great speaker!

This week is final rehearsals and filming for my classes.  I will also do a bit of a Christmas party for my classes.  I bought mini candy canes for each of them.  We will play "Christmas Minute to Win it" games...and try to relate it to music. It will probably be loud and crazy. Many parents/teachers have been bringing in treats to the staff room.  It's a fun tasters table. People are very generous!  One parent brought in mini hand sanitizers from Bath and Body Works for all the teachers and staff.  I hope the case of oranges from Petersons is available.  I would love to share it with my new friends.  If not, Dad suggests that I make everyone a cheeseball.  I'm rambling.... sorry.

How is Christmas in South Dakota?  Have you tried any new foods/traditions?  Is your ward doing anything special for Christmas?  My sister Holly's ward is doing a special "Light the Ward" activity.  They gave paper bag luminaries, glow sticks and sand (so the luminaries don't tip over) to all the ward/neighborhood.  Next Sunday night everyone will take their luminaries out to the driveway and at exactly the same time everyone will sing "Silent Night" and let it ring through the neighborhood.  I am so happy that Holly is so excited about this activity!  She also mentioned how she got a Priesthood blessing from her neighbor when she was so sick last week.  Good things! Tiny miracles!

Emma and Matt came for dinner and to decorate cookies.  Joey has figured how to make his tongue long so he can reach things on the edge of the table if we're not careful.  He swiped a sugar cookie before we could stop him.  He also got a bag of buns.  That boi!

Did you get your big box of clothes?  We should be sending your Christmas package this week.  Did you decide if you need/want anything?  Could we include something for your companions?  

We sure miss you, but we are so proud of you!  We pray for you all the time!

💜 Mom

p.s.  I did a really dumb thing today.  I was so involved in fixing dinner and doing the Christmas cards that I forgot to Zoom in to Relief Society.  Dad also forgot to Zoom in for Priesthood because he fell asleep by the fire downstairs.  At least Hyrum and Mari remembered and had a good youth meetings.  I would do better to follow their example!  

Millie,

Your picture and videos have been fun to review.  "We have to get through the haters to get to the appreciators."  I might steal that one.  It looks like you and your comps are getting along well.  I hope you are learning all you can from them while you can. 

This past week I felt Like I had a whole week off.  My new job does not have an organized process for someone from my role.  I spent most of my time reviewing videos and trying to be busy.  I came from a job where I was always hunting new opportunities and things to do.  This role is far more open and less busy.  I hope I can make the transition.  I just sit in my new office with my heater on and try not to fall asleep.  I think I found a way to get more involved this week.  I don't really start in my new role until January so I have some time.  I've been told to enjoy my low expectation time and relax but for 23 years it has been petal to the metal busy so it is hard to make the transition.

I spoke in a Ward today and used the Steel Rod tradition we started.  I took my steel rod as an object lesson. It seemed to go well.  We decorated cookies tonight and Mari made a Sister Barlow cookie.  I'm sure Mom will send you a picture. Joey found a way to snatch cookies from off the table.  He is acting like he does not feel good right now.  It has been 5 months but we are finally getting furniture for the new Portguguese Ward Bishop's office.  It has been a challenge getting all the furniture pieces during Covid. 

Not much to report this week.  We are looking forward to hearing what Christmas traditions you pick up in the Deen.  We will be sending your Christmas package soon.  Speak up if you want something special.  Love you kid.  Keep up the good work.  The Lord loves effort.  Do your best in adapting to what you can do and the Lord will take care of the rest.

Love,

Dad

Moroni 9:6