6/13/21 Family Letter

 sup

Working is hard

I have this mental map of my week, where I'm dreading the next time I go in, and reveling in the times I have off. It's a rollercoaster. 

We started Filming "Agent Average" again. It's the film project we started last year. It's about a guy named Joe Average (Easton) and his best friend (Logan) who is just named Logan. They are starting a youtube channel/vlog but don't know what to make it about. Joe gets a package that talks to him and tells him he's been selected to be a spy. for some Reason. He meets his mentor (who doesn't actually have a name now that I think about it) who is played by me. I train him and prepare him to infiltrate the russian mafia and take out their leader, Father Vodka Babushka, before he can cause a nuclear winter. Logan feels replaced as Joe's best friend by me and  decides to leave him and not go on the mission. So Easton has to film everything himself now since Logan was doing it all before, and also learns that I will not be going on the mission with him because I have my own mission. The next scene is Logan's depressed montage. I interrupt his loneliness to tell him that I don't think Joe is up to the mission, and I train him too. He's only slightly more competent than Joe. I then send him off to back up the Average Joe and that's as much as we've filmed. it's all improve, so it's really fun to film.

Well, that's it for me!

Love ya

Hyrum

Hey SUMMER is great!

I went swimming with Elizabeth and got sunburnt.

I hung out with Sara and watched Shrek.

Sami and I had a sleepover. 

COVID SHOT PART 2

It was terrible without meds. I was hot and cold at the same time! On meds I was fine. 

Mom and I went to get a pedicure at this really fancy nail salon. BEST SERVICE EVER. 

Anyway, that was basically my week. LOVE YOU LOTS!

-FAVORITE YOUNGER SISTER 

Mari B.

Sweet Eve,

Joey learned a new trick!  It's called 'Over' where Mari gets down on her hands and knees and Joey jumps over her when we say "Over!"  He's a smart little dog.  Tonight we were out in the backyard playing Corn Hole when Blue Cheese came and perched on one of the Gillis' fence pillars.  Joey had his bark collar on and was so sad not to be able to bark at the kitty!  He came and begged me to take off his collar, but nope!  I'll send a pic.  

This was my last week of school for a few weeks.  I didn't have students, just hours for training and cleaning/organizing my classroom.  I'll go back in a few weeks to organize the orchestra files.  There are so many files! I hope there is some fun music, not just serious stuff.  I'm so excited to be doing orchestra again!

I love that you are on social media!  It's such a treat to open up Facebook and Instagram and see your beautiful smiling face!  Your posts are always so nice!

Dad and I are going to Missouri this week.  For years I've been studying all about that area and the special things that happened there and will be happening there.  I can't wait to spend that time with Dad.  It's a unique anniversary trip (24 years!) but it will be lovely.  I've always wanted to go there.  I almost booked tickets for Kauai, but there were no available car rentals on the island.  It's a common problem since Covid.  Travelers have resorted to renting UHauls to get around.  Some people are capitalizing on the situation and are renting out their cars (like a VRBO for cars).  We will go there another time.  I wouldn't trade our Missouri trip for anything!  For our actual anniversary tomorrow, we are going to Penny Ann's for pancakes and then out to a movie.

Emma found a funny app that turns your face into a cartoon.  Your cartoon pic looks just like you!  Dad also has something funny to show you and your companion.  You both have to see it.  It reminded him of your mission and the long drives with funny things you find along the way.

Mari and I got a pedicure.  It was spontaneous and very much overdue!  Did you find a place you would like to do that with your companion yet? 

While Dad and Hyrum went up to cabin work day, Mari and I met up with my Snow roommate, Natasha (from Idaho).  They were in town for her grandmother's 104th birthday.  They are such fun people.  Next month we are going to host their son, Cole to hang out with Hyrum for a few days, they Hyrum and Mari will go up to Idaho to stay with them for a few days.  Mari got along with Natasha's daughters.  Natasha has some fun 'small town country things' planned for them to do.  We will plan some 'city' things for Cole.  (He only has about 12 people in his graduating class).  We will probably take him to Top Golf and a Movie.  Hyrum is going to have him as a guest on their "Agent Average" movie.  It should be fun for everyone (except the parents who have to drive the kids to and from Idaho to make the exchange).  We should not be complaining to you, because our drive will only be 3 hours or so.  Wide open spaces! 

I love the parable of the 10 virgins.  Have you noticed how many times it is mentioned in the D&C?  I believe there are so many gems for our day in that parable.  I love thinking of the oil as what people become....that's not something you can share.  For example, you can't share the patience that you have been working to develop for the past 30 years.  Also, the store of extra oil that was brought is like our private worship (no one knows all that we do to worship the Savior) compared to the oil burning in the lamp (that everyone can see).  Both are important, but it's the private relationship with our Savior that will get us through the dark night until the Bridegroom comes.

I love you Eve!

Have a wonderful week.  I am so proud of you!

Mom

Millie,

I can't wait to hear how your week has gone.  I have been dying to show you a few clips I found online.  It is of a guy who is giving a tour of Saskatchewan, Canada and it looks and feels like what we have seen from you in the Dakotas.  It is seriously funny and something we could see you doing as you travel across all the states.

Mom and I are leaving for Missouri this week.  We were planning to leave last week but we waited too long and the price of airfare went up drastically.  It was so high we started to look at Hawaii but we could not find a rental car.  The rental companies sold most of their cars so their inventory is very low.  We found a website that will allow us to rent a car from people like it is a VRBO.  It felt weird so we did not do it.  So instead of Hawaii we delayed our trip a week and are going to Missouri.  Considering Hawaii and choosing Missouri . . . so same, right?  Mom is very excited.  It has been on her bucket list for as long as I have known her.  We leave Wednesday and come back on Saturday.  It should be fun.  We have a few sites to visit but not much else planned.

The Chandler's are doing a kitchen remodel and found that a good part of their back wall has rotted away.  They have had a leak from the gutter draining behind their siding.  Their project has become a major ordeal.  We have been making a bit more of our dinner and taking it over.  I thought our kitchen remodel was a challenge but theirs is a much bigger deal.

I have delayed taking my CFP test far enough that I am wondering if I should take it at all.  I still need to create a Financial Plan but I have close to zero motivation.  If I don't create a plan I will lose out on some reimbursement money.  Now that we are coming out of COVID I'm not sure I see the point of getting it.  I will likely transition out of Fidelity in 4-5 years and will not benefit from the CFP anymore.  I think I might want to focus on finishing my History degree or maybe a Masters degree.  My Patriarchal blessing says I should seek out education.  I'm not sure what to do but I can't imagine getting my mind right to take a major test that will not benefit me going forward.  

You are an inspiration Sister Barlow.  We had the Sister speak in our Sacrament meeting today and it filled me with hope and pride from what you are doing.  Keep working hard and do your part.  We have been commanded to improve.  Do your best in building your knowledge and faith and the Lord will do the rest.  Here are a few quotes I'm considering using in my next High Council talk.  Marion G Romney said something like "how can you expect the Lord to direct your path if you are not willing to move your feet."  or "The Lord can;t steer a parked car."  Keep moving your feet and the Lord will do the rest.

Love ya kid

Dad

D&C 63:57