1/31/21 - Family Letter to Sister Barlow

Bonjour Mademoiselle 

French is hard. Life is good, but not much is happening. I did the UTA (Utah Theater Association) thing. It was virtual this year, but it was still super cool. Singles awareness day approaches, so that's cool, I guess. I'm really tired while I'm writing this, so I'm probably missing something. 

Love you!

Hyrum

Heyyy 

2nd quarter started this last week. I love B days but A days a re a drag.

 On A days I have Utah studies, Ta, then lunch, Roberts CCA, then science. B days I have THEATER, Math , LA, then …. Dance !!!

B days are bopping! 

Newsies is going really well! its all starting to come together. I went to a arts carnival On Friday It was so fun! they had karaoke button making stuff, also the  conductor for the orchestra Really wants me to join because he knows you lol. thanks for the reputation :) so that was kind of the highlights of my week. How has your week been ? I can't wait to hear about it when you call us. 

Lots

Of

Love

 Mari Barlow  

Sweet Sister Barlow,

Life is good!  I love the pics of you eating an Otter Pop in the snow.  I'm surprised they still have otter pops in the winter.  That's how they do things in THEIR culture!  Are you having fun?  What is the funniest thing that happened this week?  What are some of the things you have learned thus far on your mission?  About missionary life?  About yourself?  About those you serve? About those you serve with?

This week was nice.  My class of 5th grade boys had a break-through (I hope it lasts!)  I finally felt like we were communicating.  I understood them and they understood me.  I even got some "high 5's" at the end of class. They are good boys when they want to be.  Now for my 6th grade class with George and Nash....oh boy!

This week my lesson plan is February/July Composer's birthdays and the Romantic Music Era. I have the Composer's Birthdays set up, but I'm still working on the Romantic Music lesson plan.  I'm thinking of talking about some of the inventions that came in that era and, of course, how the music changed from the Classical Era to the Romantic.  The students have been bringing in "Ancestor Cards" to add to the Music History board.  Most of their ancestors are in the Romantic Era (Joseph Smith time).  One girl brought in an ancestor born in 800 A.D. Many are related to Brigham Young. Family History is Awesome!

Today in Sacrament Meeting we sang "How Great Thou Art"...one of my favorites, but  people really only sang on the chorus.  I couldn't figure out why until after Sacrament meeting.  I found out that that song isn't found in the digital hymnbook because of copyright.  "Because I Have Been Given Much" isn't in there either!  I'll choose songs more carefully next time.

Oakcrest is cancelled!  So sad!  Poor Mari hasn't been to a single Girl's Camp yet.  Emma and I will try to find a way to make it up to her.  On the bright side, Brittany Henage's brother works for a film company in California.  He is looking for some people to do some voice work for a commercial.  We are going to try it out.  It's something about alien sightings. It's not for pay, just for fun.  Barbra Palmer might be doing it too!

On Friday, Dad and I went out to dinner with the Chandlers.  We went to a fantastic taco place (Casa del Tamal) in West Valley.  It was SO wonderful to be with friends again!  I think people are my hobby!

Here's something interesting:  Brother Bailey, from all his study as he prepares his Seminary lessons thinks that the Seventh Seal was opened with the Hosanna Shout in the last General Conference (April 2020).  This definitely could be, but it seems more likely that it has been opened gradually.  Either way, the Seventh Seal contains many plagues and destructions that usher in the 2nd Coming of the Savior. It also contains some of the most precious blessings and exciting times. With all that has been happening so quickly, I wouldn't be surprised if we are now in the Seventh Seal, or at least the very end of the Sixth.  After dedicating the Rome, Italy temple, President Nelson said that it was a "hinge point" in Church History.  He said, "Things are going to move forward at an accelerated pace...The Church is going to have an unprecedented future, unparalleled.  We're just building up to what's ahead now" (Mach 15, 2019) We are so lucky to be living right now!

I'm so proud of you for helping with His work!

I love you!

💜 Mom

Millie,

We played Wacky Six tonight.  We barely stayed friends through the end of the game.  We made Hyrum and Mari watch Life Is Beautiful for our Sunday Movie.  It is a show about the Holocaust.  Needless to say they are not in a good mood.  I thought I was warm until I saw you eating Otter Pops in the snow.  I have a shiver going down my back that will not stop.  The gas stations look gnarly too.  

Not much to share from this week.  I start my new job in full tomorrow.  I no longer get any warm up.  I'm a bit nervous but it will be fine.  We still have not completed decorating the new office.  I am struggling to make it a priority with all the other things on the to do list.  Nothing big on the list but a lot of little things.  I'm not in a hurry to spend money.  It will get done before you get home.  

How is life with 2 Sisters that are on the way out?  Is it a challenge?  I found it a challenge when one of my companions were going home.  I can imagine what it would be like to have 2 of them feeding off of each other.  

Mom is doing well with her job.  She is gaining confidence and is providing a tremendous benefit to that school.  Hyrum and Mari seem to be doing well.  We are starting to see Hyrum settle into his "people" at the High School.  Mari is starting to embrace her inner blondness.  We have started accusing her of waking up on the blond side of the bed.  She does not think it is funny but it is real.

I wish I had more to share from this week.  I still need to complete my CFP.  I'm struggling to find motivation to get it done. I need to pass a test and complete a hypothetical financial plan.  It should not be too hard. I just have a lot of other things to think about.  I'm sure I will find the time to focus on it this week and get it all done.

 

Here is a little from our Come Follow Me lesson this week.  In D&C 8 the Lord references Moses as an example of revelation.  We asked the kids "Why Moses'?  There are a lot of examples he could have pulled from.  Elder Holland has a talk "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence".  Look it up.  It is available in the Church's app.  It is a talk from 2000 and provides some ideas.  Here is another thoughtful question we gave the kids.  What do Nephi, the Brother of Jared and Moses have in common?  They all had the same problem.  they needed to get across a body of water.  Their answers were very different.  Revelation often comes as an answer to a question.  The answer for the same question can be different for each of us.  Revelation is tricky and we need to recognize that what works for us or the answer we receive might not be applicable to everyone.  Something to think on.

Stay warm kid.  Keep trying.  You will find people to teach if you keep trying.  It is a challenging time to be a missionary and the work must keep moving forward.  Away will be provided for those who have a sacred desire and are willing to work.

Love,

Dad

D&C 8:2-4