3/13/22 Family Letter

 HI EVE!!!!

 Today I got my patriarchal blessing!!!. It was so cool!!!! 

It was really cool to see how Heavenly Father knows me more than I know myself! It talks a lot about how I will bear my testimony in front of the World. 

How I need to be courageous, kind, and how I will bless others.

4 MORE WEEKS!!!! I'm definitely not counting. 

I'm prepping OUR room. Notice the OUR( your welcome )

Anyway, the Wizard of Oz is coming up. I really don't want to memorize lines, but we are doing an understudy run through.

We had our first day of filming for the fairy tale club!! I'm so excited. It's an amazing company.

Jade( The mean girl character I play) her colors are purple and blue.

I GOT A MARIONETTE IN MY SON PINOCCHIO. Cece is the other Marionette. I'm so excited with the stage makeup. 

I'm going to start practicing! My friends and I are still preparing for the direct festival. 

I LOVE YOU OH SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXOOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOOX
MARI BARLOW

Turkey Bacon Mayo Cheese Gas Sauce 

Now that I'm done writing random words, I remember what I did this week.

I took the ACT, and I think it went well! also that day I saw treasure island the Musical at Hale and did absolutely awful at region solo and ensemble for choir.

I didn't care about it anyway, so I'm fine with that!

Prom was yesterday, and boy was it weird. Awesome! But weird. 

our group consisted of me and my date (who was Vegan and Gluten intolerant, so our food options were limited), Anna Winnerstrom and Logan (Who tore his meniscus that Thursday, so he was in a brace the entire time), Easton and one of Anna's friends named Alison (he asked her a week before at our pressuring), and another one of Anna's friends named Rachel who asked her friend to the dance because she didn't want to go alone. Her date turned out to be gay, so...weird group!

For our day date, we went to the mall and did a scavenger hunt. It's illegal to take selfies with mall cops. Apparently.

For dinner, we went to the Himalayan Kitchen, which isn't very fancy but it was the best place that would take reservation and had stuff my date could eat.

Then we went to the capital for the dance! It took a half hour to get there, and even an hour and half into the dance it was almost empty.

We had fun there (almost went deaf) and then we went to Logan's house for some games and chocolate mousse (my date had the fancy sorbet you used to get all the time).

But it was a fun night!

I love you! Keep shining, Star Child

Hyrum

Sweet Eve,

Stake Conference was this weekend.  Melissa Chandler spoke at the adult session.  She quoted "Sister Barlow serving in North Dakota".  That was a fun surprise!  Melissa spoke about suggestions to help prepare your children to serve missions.  She did great!  Mari and I sang in the Stake Choir.  I loved the music that we sang.  My favorite was called "Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort" arranged by Mack Wilburg.  I sent it to you via Messenger.  It's such a haunting melody that fits so much with Family History and eternal perspective.  This is a song I see colors (more like shadows) as I can see people crossing over a river into the loving arms of their ancestors and the rejoicing that reunions bring. 

Mari's patriarchal blessing was a wonderful experience.  I am always amazed at how well Heavenly Father knows each of you!  While Mari was getting her blessing, the Stake choir started warming up and there were two flutes right outside the Patriarch office that were trying to tune....and they just couldn't get it.  It is not a soundproof room and I was trying really hard to focus on Mari's blessing and not the shrill flutes.  Inspiration for her came regardless.  She learned some wonderful things about herself.  It is astonishing to catch a glimpse of how Heavenly Father sees each of you.  I mean, I always think each of you are special, important, and amazing...but to hear Him take that awesomeness so much farther is inspiring.

The Stake dinner went well.  Dad's smoked pork loin and my Apple Chutney were a hit.  The only complaint was that it was too much food.  Better that than not enough!  I'm glad it's over but I really enjoyed working together with other ladies in the Stake.  It's great to be doing social activities again! JK Dye's mom, Rhoda, made the centerpieces based on a picture of a woman praying.  I will send you the pics.

In YW we watched the Face to Face broadcast.  I hope you had a chance to see that.  My favorite was the music video/dance.  One of the dancers goes to Carden.  Her aunt was in charge of the dance.

I bought a hair crimper/waver and tried it out this week.  I prepared myself for all sorts of comments from my students...because they are kids and are completely honest.  Some of my favorite comments:

"Mrs. Barlow, is that a wig?"  "You look like a lion"  "What happened to your hair? (asked in disgust)"    I should have taken a picture because my hair DID get really big when it was crimped.  I actually like big hair and hope it comes back in style.  I could rock that hairdo!  And I think people would get used to it...maybe....  It's fun to try new stuff.

I hope your week goes well.  I saw the pics of a balloon store.  What a fun idea! I bet something like that would do well in Utah...

How is Sister Haufa?  How is Lois?  Have you been able to visit her again? Have a fun St. Patrick's day...play a trick or two!

I'm proud of you, Eve!  I sure love you!

 Mom

Millie,

We are told things are going to get warmer around here.  We hope it is expected to get warmer in Grand Forks.  Daylights Savings this weekend came and perfect time.  We had Stake conference this weekend so no early meeting.  We were surprised when we heard Melissa Chandler quoted Sister Barlow in North Dakota in part of her talk.  We were paying attention to her talk but sat up a little straighter when we heard the reference.  The dinner your Mom put on went well.  The smoked pork loins turned out great.  We got a little concerned and bought a fancy wireless meat probe to make sure the temps were right.  It worked great.  I had to leave for a meeting but Tiffany was able to use my phone and get them off the smoker in time.  She asked for help from some women in the Stake.  I'm always glad to give others the opportunity to serve but I like having control over the full menu.  The potatoes did not turn out like we hoped.  We gave them a recipe and they did something completely different with baked potatoes and ranch dressing.  The green beans came out a little spicy and swimming in bacon grease.  Nobody complained except to say we gave them too much food.  We had a fantastic pie provided my out Portuguese friends from the Harvest Field Ward.  They made a white chocolate key lime pie.  It was a mild key lime. It was great but we could not keep the pie and meringue together.  Once we cu the pie they wanted to separate.

Mari received her patriarchal blessing this morning.  It was a great experience.  The Patriarch's office is not as quiet as I thought it was.  We had the choir and some flutes practicing.  It felt like they were right outside the door.. We started by all of us bearing testimony.  Patriarch Berkenshaw was very focused and pronounced a wonderful blessing.  It was a great start to the day.  

Tomorrow is Pie Day. 3:14  I hope you find some way to get some pie.  We bought a few pies for Mari.  They have something going on at the school.  We have a pie or two in the freezer that we will thaw and enjoy tomorrow.  

Good luck this next week kid.  Keep trying to do you best.  Good things will happen when you united your faith with your companion and open your mouth to all you see. 

Love,

Dad

Nephi 11:17