Wasa dude!
I told you about the gift I gave to Anna, and we just talked, so this letter will be a bit empty. I love the lava lamp I got, and I turn it on every day, and I think of the old one you had. We have fun game where we talk like cave men and try to speak bad to tell of things. It's called Poetry for Neanderthals. I don't know what else to talk about, so I'll end my letter with a poem, cus why not.
There isn't much to write, it's not out of spite
If I knew what to say, I would write all day
But the words elude me, The whole I cannot see
good luck I guess, I don't love you less
You do the good work, that you cannot shurk
I love you a lot, Not to put i on the spot
Have fun, Gotta run
Hyrum Barlow
Heyy Eve
So this week was a bopping time. I did alot of art this week (pretty good if I do say so myself) I drew a picture of Christ and a llama. I found out my friend has covid!( what fun) I wasn't around her for at least two weeks so that's good! This year I have been noticing a lot of the little things the lord has done for me. For example sometimes I am so close to having a bad day, he helps me turn the day around. Anyway that's all that really happened this week. I hope you had an amazing week! love you always
-Mari
Sweet Eve,
I read a great article in the Church News today that made me think of you. It was taken from a Missionary Christmas Devotional by Elder and Sister Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve. I will try to send it to you in a separate email. One of the things he said is, "People will ask you decades from now, 'When did you serve your mission?' And you will say, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be a time never forgotten. It has taken courage for you to serve your mission during this notable time." Sister Anderson shares a letter she wrote to her missionary grandson. (She encourages missionaries everywhere to adapt it to themselves...so I adapted the letter to you). She wrote: "This Christmas you will bear testimony that the little baby, the Christ child, the Savior born on that first Christmas, will return again in majesty and glory as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the children and the men and the women in [the Dakotas] will see Him in the clouds of glory with all His holy angels at the exact time that those in the great cities of London, Paris, New York and Hong Kong will see Him. The people in [the Dakotas] are as important to God as any people on the earth. And He has sent you, Eve, there to them at this important time."
Elder Anderson suggested three lessons from Christ's birth can be applied to missionary service:
1. There is great happiness in trusting God and being trusted of God.
2. Just because something comes from God does not mean it will be without difficulty.
3. Jesus was born as the divine Son of God, but He still had to grow up.
Since we spoke on Christmas, I have thought a lot about the challenge you gave us: To include the Savior in every aspect of our day. I was pondering on this as I was doing the dishes (dishes, weeding and ironing are my best thinking times). I began to understand that even simple tasks (like dishes) can be more meaningful when thought of as service to those I love, and thus service to the Savior. As a mom I learn this lesson over and over again. I was reminded that these seemingly small acts of service make a big difference in the long run. These small acts help refine and purify our natures by helping us focus on the needs of others and thus help us become more loving, like the Savior.
Today in Relief Society (Jory was teaching) we talked about the things we've learned/discovered this pandemic year. Most people spoke of the great opportunity to spend more time with their family and strengthen those relationships. It seems to me that missionary work is helping people get the tools they need to make their relationships more meaningful. One of my favorite quotes from the lesson was from Elder Bednar's talk Oct 2020 "We Will Prove Them Now Herewith" It says:
"The process of proving ourselves is a fundamental part of Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness. I promise that as we both prepare and press forward with faith in the Savior, we all can receive the same grade on the ultimate examination of mortality: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (emphasis added)
I hope you have a wonderful week! We pray for you all the time. I hope you feel Heavenly Father's love for you. Stay safe and warm! Sending you a big hug!
💜 Mom
Millie,
We are getting ready to send you your remaining gifts that did not get to us in time to send it for Christmas. We might try to send it with the family that is taking your cello. I was wondering in order to get your cello home if we will need to come pick you up. Nothing to think about now as that is a 2022 question.
Very happy to hear you had a good Christmas. It was a very low key Christmas here. As I mentioned we tried to zoom the family party. It was very brief. We had a very lazy day. We did not spend as much on Christmas due to my new job. The kids seem to feel like they got what they wanted but we did not have some of the family gifts like movies and such.
Our speaking assignment for January is "Living a Future without Fear". I would appreciate any input you have. I don't speak for 3 week so I have plenty of time to consider resources and ideas. I'm thinking of asking Patriarch Tippets to join me as my companion speaker. I don't know if he will be comfortable speaking with me due to COVID. We will see.
Not much to report as we just spoke. How much longer do you have your companions for? You mentioned that they only have a few months left. I really like the shirt you sent me. Nobody around here knows what it is. I'm considering buying an NSU hat. I found a few online that look about right. If you serve close to other UniversitiesI plan on getting some gear from all of them.
Love you kid. Keep doing good. You are making a difference. Do your best and Lord will take care of the rest.
Love,
Dad
1 John 4:18
Moroni 8:16
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