9/19/21 Family Letter

 Henlo comrade

I had maybe the best night of my life last night!

I was invited to a self thrown homecoming thrown by Taylor. I was told I could bring a date or go stag, so of course, I started asking around for people who hadn't been asked to the actual homecoming yet. I figured if they weren't going to the real one, they might as well go to a dance! So I asked another senior MDT girl, and it was awesome! We had so much fun and I got to know her really well. Anyway, I have a new friend I never thought about making! This next week, I have several performances I'm not ready for, but we're gonna do them anyway! Well, that's really all from me. Oh, wait! I have the actual homecoming with Grace this Saturday! I don't know if it can top last night, but we're going to try! Anyway, I love you!

      -Hyrum

HIYA!!!
This week has been really Busy but that's ok( kind of how I like it )

This week Cece's parents went out of town so we had a sleepover! It was really fun!

We went thrifting and talked till 1am. Then we had Swedish pancakes in the morning. It was fun!

We had the stake harvest fair this week which was really fun!!! I played I lava you with Audree Moncur, Skylar Wilfert, and Garrison Lott.

TECH WEEK!!!!!!!!! We had our first run through! It was really fun! I don't know if I told you this but There's a guy in the cast 

( I don't know who. all of my cast friends know but they won't tell me) 

The last letter of his last name is N. I have a few guesses but I don't know. I could be wrong.

I have performances and run-throughs every day that go till 10 or later. Wish me luck!

I hope you had the best week ever!!!!!!!!

Au revoir!!!!

Mari Barlow ;)

Sweet Eve,

I can't believe how cool it is that Grandma and Grandpa Barlow will be able to visit you in South Dakota.  I told them to give you a hug from me.  How marvelous that you were transferred to Rapid City at the same time they were planning on going up to visit Mount Rushmore.  Nothing happens by chance.  I'm excited to hear about your new area.  How is the ward?  How do you like your new companion?  How is the scenery?  (I'm sure you will report on all these things in your letter).

As Mari mentioned, this week is Tech week.  I'm hoping everything goes smoothly.  Because I'm in charge of costumes, I found out it means I'm likely needed back stage during the show.  What?!? This is not what I signed up for!  I'll do what I can to help, but I'm not doing this again.  Anyway, it's been fun to be with Mari and watch how many boys are trying to get her attention.  She is loving being a sassy "Stepsister Florinda".  I will send pictures.

This week starts Carden Orchestra!  I'm excited and a bit nervous.  Right now there are about 23 kids total who signed up.  I'm nervous about having them prepared in time for the concert in December because they only allow me to rehearse 35 minutes 1x/week with each group.  I'm hoping that with these smaller groups, I can teach them more individually and that they will make fast progress. 

I was set-apart today for YW Specialist.  The blessing was sweet and focused on seeing the YW deeply, as our Heavenly Father sees them.  Also, I should follow the Spirit and act on promptings QUICKLY regarding the YW. 

Random Thoughts:  

Dad bought Grandpa Barlow a salt gun (The 'Bug-A-Salt).  It was really fun to watch him sneak around his house hunting for flies to shoot.  Dad got some choice pictures.  We also bought one for the cabin.  Hyrum is excited to use it.  Joey is getting a haircut tomorrow.  He will be freezing because we had a cold-front come through.  He will need his hoodie. Dad gave up his BYU tickets for the game yesterday because I had to be at Tech rehearsal with Mari.  I felt so bad.  We had planned a triple date with the Chandlers and the Wenerstroms.  The Chandlers ended up having their own tickets but Dad gave the Wenerstroms all of our tickets.  I hope we can work something like that out again when the schedule frees up. Dad has been Superman through all of this crazy.  He's amazing!  Luke Chandler comes home on Wednesday.  The Chandler's are so excited.  Adam and Blaikley had their baby boy today (still unnamed).

Today for Come Follow Me study we talked about Zion's Camp and how our trials train and refine us.  We talked about the things that are hard for us (what is OUR Zion's Camp and are we allowing it to teach us what He wants us to learn?)  I heard someone say that we will always feel more love from Heavenly Father as he helps us through our trials, rather than taking those trials away.  I know this to be true!

Heavenly Father loves you so much.  I hope you can feel His love for you in the beautiful world and people around you.  You are a special girl.  You have many unique and special gifts to use to help build his kingdom.  I miss you and love you!

 Mom

Millie,

How is life in Rapid City?  We are eager to hear about your new comp and teaching pool.  Mom and Dad are excited to see you this week.  They feel like the stars have aligned to make this happen.   They were planning to go to the Mountain and you get transferred there.  We are excited to hear about it.

We have had a challenging week.  Both Hyrum and Mari have had a lot going on.  Mom has been at Mari's play for most of the week.  She is being stretched a little thin.  I'm doing what I can think of to take care of her.  Hyrum has had several rehearsals and auditions.  Mari got called back to an audition for some Youtube thing she is doing.  Hyrum had a great experience with what we are calling "Off Brand" HoCo.  Taylor Ludlow put on a Homecoming dance in her driveway and Hyrum invited a girl who had not been asked to the RHS Homecoming.  He was nervous about it but the girl he invited was giving him signs that she is super chill and willing to have fun.  He came back feeling like it was very successful.  He is concerned that the RHS HoCo will not be as good.  He has determined he likes girls that are outgoing.  He does not do well with girls that are shy.  Mari's play is this weekend so we are almost done with it.  We keep telling ourselves we are lucky she came last. If she was first we might have run out of drive for the later kids.  Mari is absolutely fantastic but she is involved in a lot of things.  It keeps us busier than we like to be.  This weekend we have Mari's play, Hyrum Homecoming (we are doing dinner in the basement), Stake Conference and a BYU home game.  We will miss this game also.  We had planned to double with the Wenerstroms to the game yesterday but Mom forgot she was needed at the play.  I did not have the heart to tell the Wenerstroms they were uninvited so I gave them all the tickets. We might make it to the last 3 games.

Mom starts her Orchestra program this week.  She has been very nervous to get things started.  So far she will have about 30 students.  Most of them are new students with no musical background.  I'm excited for her to get the program started and create new traditions.  She is still struggling with the old Orchestra teacher wanting to get too involved.  She might need her help to get the instruments taped and tuned but not much else.  She will have little time to get the kids ready for a Christmas concert.  

Love you kid.  We are excited to see you grow.  We are happy you are in a new area and are able to influence new people.

Love,

Dad

D&C 105:18-19