11/14/21 Family Letter

 Aloha

Lied Tech week wasn't this last week. It is this week!

This week the Yw went thrifting! I invited my non-member friend Brakenna.

WE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME !!!! We tried on Prom dresses in the isles and I wrestled Paisley 

for a pair of Golden High heels!( akak Barbie shoes)

There really cute and didn't fit her( she wasn't going to buy them...)

I wasn't technically invited to A party I went to on Friday ( My friend Cece and I were making plans but then she realized 

She had a party so I tagged along.) It was so fun. They had A live DJ and strobe lights. It was a party!

Then on Saturday I went to hangout with my friend Kendall. We went to Crumble and Sodalicious.

Also I made a discovery this week. I am That theater nerd. Kendall is very uncultured when it comes to theater. 

So I was telling her about all the musicals she was missing. and I was telling her about the Dear Evan Hansen movie. 

I was able to name all of the characters names and about half of the actors who played them. I'm THAT theater kid.

On Thursday I stepped on Dog poop on the way to school and I had the heels in my bag.. SO GUESS WHAT I WORE HALF OF 
THE DAY! hahaha

Anyway 

Lots 

Of 

Love!!!
MARI THE BULLDOSING FAIRY

Buna Ziua

How are you? This is the week of Mamma Mia, and I'm so ready for it to be over and done with. I've had a lot of fun, and I'm very glad I did it, but I'm also very tired. because I have to wake up early every school day (5 or 6), I normally look to the weekends to sleep in. But I went to the morning fireside with brother Wilcox on Friday, had rehearsal early on Saturday, and then blessed the sacrament in the park avenue branch (the elderly home ward) today. My business, coupled with the lack of sleep and the sleep I do get being fitful, I'm a little frazzled! But it's all good! The best service is never convenient. That said, I'm very...weary. I hope I can grow used to this, because as soon as this is over, rehearsals for the MDT review start, auditions for the play are being held, and the Madrigals start to get busy too! But I know He will help me through it!

Love you Eve! Good luck, and remember,

God throws things at us to strengthen us, make us better than we are. 

Because of your already incredible strength, your trials will be incredible as well.

And if you endure? You will become unstoppable.

Fight on, Starchild.

-Hyrum

Sweet Eve,

Today I thanked Shanel for sending you some "Power Hoops" (even though they are not missionary approp.)  She asked me if you mentioned the letter you wrote to yourself when you were Mari's age.  Did you get it?  I would love to hear about your letter to yourself! 

Today in our Mission Prep class I realized how much I don't know about HOW to be a missionary. The lesson was about Resolving Concerns (the Iceberg analogy) Brother Borg divided us into partners.  I was with Avery Grant.  He gave each of us a paper that had something a friend could be struggling with (Example: "I don't have time to read the Book of Mormon")  and then the bottom of the page had the real reason for why the friend didn't want to do something ("I can't read the Book of Mormon because it might be true and I don't want to change my drinking habits").  Our assignment was to find out the real reasons so we can help resolve issues.  As I was trying to find out the real reason my "friend" Avery didn't want to read the Book of Mormon, I found myself shutting down....I didn't know what to ask.  AHHHH!  I panicked.  I tried testifying to her about how if she made time to read the Book of Mormon, she would be able to get more done.  Then the conversation ended...with nothing resolved.....     I'm so bad at this!    Meanwhile, Dad had already discovered the real reason his friend didn't want to read the Book of Mormon.  Dad figured it out in about 3 minutes!   My first thought was about how I don't know what I'm doing.  My second thought was that I'm so glad Dad will be my companion when we are REALLY on our missions.  Through this lesson I learned to "Stay Curious Longer" (wisdom from Fidelity Investments).  I need to ask more questions and make sure they are not "Why" questions because "Why" questions can put people on the defensive.           I have a lot to learn!        I also realized that as a missionary, it's not my job to "sell" the gospel, only present and invite.  The Holy Ghost is the testifier that can enter their hearts to help them recognize truth.

This week I visited with Grammy K.  She is lonely.   The first thing she said to me was how much she looks forward to reading your letters each Monday.  She said you have a darling personality and that you have such a good sense of humor..  We also visited about family history.  I shared some stories from Family Search about her grandparents (she had never heard these stories before).  It was a good visit.  In YW this week I'm meeting with Hailey Butterfield, the newly-called 16-17 year old 2nd Counselor over Family History.  I will drive more carefully so the Sodalicious drink I'll get for Hailey doesn't spill in the van again.

I hope you have a wonderful week.  You are very special!  I admire you for being such a great missionary!  I look up to you!

I love you forever!

 Mom

Millie,

I hope things are going better with your companion.  We pray daily she will get the opportunity to go to her original assignment in France.  We saw the video of the branch building that is being sold.  We are eager to hear the story behind why they are closing the branch.

This last week has been busy with some good things.  Mom and I went to Hale Center and slept through an Agatha Christie murder mystery.  I took Hyrum and with your uncle John and Nate went and saw a recut version of Rocky IV.  It was a fun trip down nostalgia lane.  The weekend went by in a blur.

This week I get to experience "Breakfast with Ben".  I had my monogrammed hat and jacket delivered.  We have the ingredients list and should be good to go.  It will be interesting to see how it goes.  I have been focused on trying to get my High Council talk ready for next week. I have not had much time to think about the "show".  I get to give a 5 min intro on something before I introduce the chef we will be learning from.  

It sounds like they are going to cancel our Ward Christmas party.  The Stake has decided they want to arrange so we don't have a meal with the Christmas party to limit the excuse some will have to remove their masks.  They have decided if we can't have food then we are not going to have one.  Some of the Ward Council will not be able to attend due to scheduling conflicts.  Those left choose not to have the party.  It will be interesting to see how the Ward handles the news.  

Love you kid.  Good luck this week.  We pray daily that you will find families you can teach.  I have no doubt that as you apply yourself you will find opportunities to teach.

Love,

Dad

D&C 124:97