7/18/21 Family Letter

 Wassa!!!

I had a really long work week, but I'm making the big bucks (not really, but dough is dough)! That's really been it! I did go to a fellow MDT member's B-day party yesterday, and that was an interesting experience to say the least. I swam and played water polo for like three hours, so my arms are killing me, on top of the 28 work hours I had done the three days before. I don't know how much longer I'll be working there, but I know I'll have to quit with the school year, because I'll be at the school late for rehearsals and what not. We managed to get Easton a job there and he starts tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that.

Anyway, I love ya!

Hyrum

Sweet Eve,

Mari is last-minute packing for Girl's Camp so she'll jump on your letter soon.  It was so much fun to hear/see/meet President and Sister Howell today.  They both adore you.  Sister Howell wanted us to take a picture to send it to you.  If you can forward it to her, I'm sure she would appreciate it. As you saw, we also met Sister Simpson's? parents.  They sat right behind us at the homecoming.  After talking for a bit, we both realized that our daughters were together in the music video filmed by the Missouri river.  They are very nice!  

Another thing we noticed at the homecoming was how many fun and unique people were missionaries from the NDBM....then to meet President Howell and know how quirky he is, it was a beautiful thing.  Does this mean you are a quirky person?  Absolutely!  I was so inspired as I made that discovery because you are one of the coolest, funnest people I know.  I thought about each member of our family and I realized something profound- EACH ONE OF US IS QUIRKY in our own way!  My whole life I have been trying to stifle my quirky personality...so I don't stick out. Today I understood that being unique is a blessing. As I noticed the people around me today (not just at the homecoming, but at church and at the fireside) I began to understand that in a very beautiful and wonderful way, we are special and celebrated by our Heavenly Father who loves us FOR us.  It is the most empowering thought I've had in awhile.  I can't believe it took me 45 years to come to  truly understand this.  Eve, you are a great example of this.  You are so much fun because you are you!  Today during family dinner, we talked about how important it is to be yourself because Heavenly Fathers loves YOU.  When let our personality shine, we give other people permission to do the same.

We also met other missionaries who knew you or heard of you.  I don't remember their names, but you are well-liked. It was also funny to hear them all talk.  They have the Minnesota accent! 

Dad gave a great talk for High Council today.  He is a very energetic, engaging speaker.  I love it when he tells stories to illustrate a principle.  His talk was about being thankful unto prayer.  Tonight Mari and I went to a Girl's Camp Fireside in the Fullmer's back yard.  It was inspirational.  It's been a day of Spiritual Feasting.

We saw your "I know we're not Zone Leaders, but here is a miracle"  video about a family you can teach.  This is wonderful!  We have also been praying for you to find a family to teach.  Super exciting!  We will continue to pray for them.

Dad and I went to the temple this weekend.  We did sealings with Grandma/Grandpa Barlow and Matt and Shirlene.  We invited Matt and Emma but they had Ali's wedding.  I can't wait for you to go to the temple with us! It was heavenly to be there.  It felt just like Adam-ondi-Ahman, youth conferences, and other special places.  Heavenly Father loves us so much.  Don't you ever just think, "I must be one of Heavenly Father's favorites!"    I hope you realize how much He loves you.

We love you too Sister Barlow

 Mom

HII EVE! 

Guess what!?!?!? 

IT'S ALMOST GIRLS CAMP!!!!!!

I'm all packed and ready to go! 

I'M SO EXCITED!!!! 

I went to lagoon again.

We  bleached dyed t-shirts for yw.

WE have purple sweatshirts!!!!!!!

I have been dinking around on procreate and I have made pretty cool stuff!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

 I got set apart today for yw 1st counselor.

If I'm going to get any sleep I'm going to need to go to bed soon. 

LOTS
OF 
LOVE!!!!!!

Favorite younger sister!

Millie,

You have some quirky people who serve in the NDBM.  We went to the Howell's Homecoming talk.  It was wonderful.  They are great people.  It was entertaining to watch the past missionaries interact.  They all spoke with the accent.  Your Mom commented on it and we determined that you for sure went to the right mission.  Once you got to the NDBM they would make you Queen.  We spoke to several of the parents there.  We did not remember many names other than the Simpsons or Sampsons? They kept referring to their missionary as Fran.  They were fun to talk to.

We were able to go to the temple this past week.  Your Mom made a reservation for us to do sealing and we took Grandma and Grandpa and Matt and Shriline.  It was great to be back.  We went to Kneader's afterwards and had some sandwiches.  They were wanting to get some eclairs until your Mom said she preferred the eclairs at Schmidt's.  So we all went to Schmidt's to find out they have new hours and have closed.  Grandma was bummed.  The next day we went to Schmidt's and bought some eclairs and took them to Grandma and Grandpa's.

This next week we will have an only child experience.  Mari has Girl's CVamp the beginning of the week and Hyrum has Man Camp the last half.  Hyrum did not get the first day off of work so we will be driving him in on Thursday morning.  Camp is about 2.5 hours away so it will take most of the morning to get there and back.  It has been quiet around here and your Mom struggles at times until we see a AFV of a baby sneezing on some food or upchucking all over someone.  We quickly agree that we like our stage in life.  

Love you kid.  We are excited to see you progress and do great things.  

Love, 

Dad

D&C 78:18-19