Canning Tomatoes, School Starts and Jake at USU

Hello Little Megan!

How are things in the land of the tulips?  What a week - first week back with 5 full days at school.  I am exhausted! The library is slammed all day trying to get everyone oriented to the resources and make sure that they know what to do.  It is fun but very tiring.  Dad was gone all week which makes things even more interesting for me.  Rachel was great help picking up Elizabeth at the bus stop and taking her to Mathnasium and then I would pick her up.  She goes to school so late and gets home so late that schedules are crazy to coordinate.  I went to Legacy for the Parent Info night and went from class to class on Rachel's schedule.  She has a hard schedule with challenging classes but she is up for the challenge!  They are making the move to standards referenced grading and it will be more difficult to get a high gpa I think.  The trade off is supposed to be a greater ability to pinpoint the weak spots and help the kids.  Thursday night, I met President Hatch and Hickman at the church with Sis. Hart and we went to the Cross of Christ Church to meet with Pastor Ann and drop off a housewarming gift for their new addition.  She took us on a tour and we took a picture of Christ.  I sent that email to you so you could see what we sent.  It was a nice time and we are making some strides into other churches and slowly making headway and relationships.  Dad and I went crazy with errands yesterday, we had to pick out tile for the basement bathroom and also tried to choose a cabinet.  We also went out to the farmer's market to pick up some tomatoes.  Rachel is craving macaroni.  The tomatoes were $64 per bushel but we just bit the bullet and got 2 bushel.  We are going to can tomatoes all day tomorrow.  I hope it goes fast.  It is Labor Day weekend over here, can you believe it?  There are only 5 Sunday's left before the Primary Program and some of our songs are not ready so I need to get busy with that. Today was fast Sunday and it is so hard for Elizabeth but even with the Ellis boys eating, she held her guns and didn't eat.   I am sending you a link to our family blog.  I am not as good at keeping it updated as I have been with your blog but I like you to click on these three blogs so that our international traffic shows up more.  

http://owenandlaurafamily.blogspot.com/

http://meganinthelandofthetulips.blogspot.com/

http://twogeekyteachers.blogspot.com/

Thanks for doing that.  I am wondering how things are going with your companions and if you got the money attached to the letter we sent.  

We talked to Jake on the phone tonight.  He is having a blast and loves USU.  Of course, the fact that there are about 80 girls and 12 guys in his ward is helping him.  He talked about how the girls feed him and that they actually cook.  He sounds happy and I hope that his credit load doesn't kick him.  He has 18 credits and a lot of homework but if he stays on top of it, he should be ok.  He loves the guitar class and his Book of Mormon Class too.  

Take Care, can you let us know what to do about purchasing a ticket for you?  Do we just do that automatically or do we have to talk to someone?  We are going to start watching the flights in the hopes of getting a deal.

Love you!

Mom

p.s. The pictures were sent to me from Jake, I don't know what the meaning of the muscle shirt pic is.  This middle picture is kids going on a QR code scavenger hunt in the library for orientation.

August Letters to Megan about Jake to College and Starting School

Dear Sister Israelsen,
 
This week has been a week apart. Your mother went to Oregon last week and got home on Sunday night really late and then Monday morning I woke up and took off for my trip to Kansas City and Indianapolis. So, finally we were back together on Friday night. We were both so tired that we were just glad to be back together.
 
So, Moms birthday was on Monday and I had to leave for my trip. what a bummer of a birthday. I got tickets to the Buell to see "sister act" on Oct. 4th then I found out today that we may not be able to go on that day. We'll see. It is so weird to only have 2 kids at home right now. We just talked to Jake and he is having a great time at school, but he did admit that homework and assignments were getting really hard to keep up with. He also has a Chinese teacher for Calc II and he has a hard time understanding her/him (not sure which). He also said that he only had about 10 guys in his ward and the rest were girls. Either more guys are going on missions right now or its just that the girls are better at attending church. I think more girls attending is more likely the case. He also told us that his roommate called this morning from the hospital because he got alcahol poisoning last night!! Thats kind of scary, a lot of young college students die from stuff like that. I hope hes okay, Jake thinks he is.
 
I am so happy for you now that the work is picking up! I know that the Lord can work many mighty miracles. You just need to be there and do your best and he will provide the rest. Stay close to your investigators and involve the ward members, this will give them the best chance for conversion. 
 
By the way on am reading the BoM 2 times right now. I have been listening on my iphone and I am in Alma and then I am reading each day to prepare for my lessons for seminary. What a challenge. I like just listening because it is giving me a much better understanding of the whole book, but then I like the individual reading because I have to prepare to teach it and I am learning the doctrine so much deeper. I love my calling! It may be hard to get up early every day and prepare for my lessons every night but I love learning more about the gospel and its fun to teach the youth. Most of them are in a delicut place, trying to understand if they are really believe the gospel. Most of them know it is true but they have to gain a testimony for themselves. They have to want to acknowledge that they have felt the spirit and understand that it is true. It takes time and effort on their part to get there. I keep trying to tell them that, hoping that they will get there
 
By the way, I am so impressed with your hard work and knowledge of the gospel. I can tell that you have truly felt the spirit of the Lord and have accepted him in your life. I have known that for a long time, but recently I have felt that through your letters. They are faith builder for me. You have been a shinning example to our family and many people that follow your letters. 
 
Trent Brown got his mission call this week to Fresno, CA. He announced it in chruch today and he seems really pleased. At first I thought he might be a little disappointed but like most missionaries out there they understand that their call is truly from the Lord and he is sending them were they are needed and there is a purpose for them going to that place at that time. 
 
Rachel almost got in her first accident the other day. She was driving and someone cut her off and actually scratched the front bumper of the Honda. She stopped but the other guy did not. She was so shaken up that she did not get his license number. Plus she had Elizabeth in the car with her and I guess one or both of them were screaming and had to calm down before they could continue home. It happened on 120th and Pecos, not far from home. Just a quick lesson on defensive driving. It doesnt matter if you are wrong or right when you drive. Its just best to stay out of any accident by trying to anticipate what the other driver is doing. 
 
I Love you and I am praying for your continued success! I am also praying for your investigators, it takes a lot of courage to make "that mighty change" like it says in the scriptures but when they are touched by the spirit anything is possible. Even the most hardened people can change, when they accept the Lord.
 
Dad


Dear Sister Israelsen,
 
Well this has been an interesting week! Jake has been out late very night because he is getting ready to leave for school. His last day of work was on Thursday. The dischners gave him friday off so he could get ready for school. An on top of that they gave him a $250 bonus. They said that he was a great worker and if they had more like him that theywoudl be millionaires. I think they are just nice. So, Jake and mom and Rachel went to logan to move him in and then they visited with family in Logan. Then they went to Chris's (by the way they have sold their home and are moving, not sure where yet). Jake is moving in with some guy from Pennsilvainia, I'm guessing that he is not a member of the church because he moved his coffee maker in first thing. Looks like a good missionary opportunity.
 
We went to Water World with Elizabeth and friends on Monday for her birthday party. They had a lot of fun and a little sun burned. Rachel even went with, which I was glad for because she went on a couple of the rides with them so I didnt have to. I still went on the Zoomerang with Rachel. Elizabeth and one of her friends went on it too. Her other two friends were to scared to go.  WEll, she had a full day of fun. Then on Thursday she went to one of her friends for another birthday party. They went to the mall and got makeovers. She was in heaven. Then on Saturday she went to another birthday party where they played games, it was a sleep over but we had her come home at 11pm. Not fans of the sleep overs as you know. 
 
Rachel got her Drivers license this week which I am very glad for so when I am gone next time she can drive Elizabeth when needed. She is very pleased with herself because she passed on her first try, which she told Jake about over and over again. Get ready when you get home she will probably do the same to you. I think that she likes to be the first to do something in our family. You know its hard to come behind you and Jake. Its her claim to fame. 
 
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about the biggest thing this week. Jake went to get his Patriatical blessing and we all went. The spirit was so strong. I even mentioned how strong the spirit was and Jake agreed and then he said that it was the strongest that he has ever felt the Holy Ghost. What a spiritual experience. What a great family home evening (just not at home). You should ask him about it, because it was very special. 
 
Your Mom is headed to Oregon this week to do a training for some teachers there. We are going to miss her, and then I have to travel the next week. 
 
Oh, by the way Bobbi got her mission call this week to Washington, Vancouver mission. I know she is pretty excited. Not only that Bobbi and Nicki are excited to get Jake to school so they can line him up with a bunch of friends of theirs. I think they will keep him busy. 
 
Today President Toombs asked about you, I told him that you were in Belgium and he asked if you were successful. I told him that it has been hard and he said he know how you felt. In your last letter you were excited that one of your investigators came to church, I was so happy to hear it because that is success!Keep up the good work.
 
I love you and I miss you.
 
Dad

Hello Zuster!

How are you?  I am writing this email from Kris's computer in Fruit Heights today and we can't get it to read my phone so I am going to send you some pictures one at a time.  I started school this last week with teacher meetings and getting the library ready.  It is always exciting to go back to school.  This year, I am turning my orientations on their head and have placed QR codes all over the library.  The kids will take iPads and follow the clues, do the assignments and prove to me that they know how to navigate the library.  I am doing that for older kids and still doing the regular orientation for the younger kids.  We are proposing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy to staff this next week so that the kids can bring their own iPads or Chromebooks to school.  We have been working on a presentation and the ability to vote as a staff with a google survey.  It will be interesting but I think it is the way to go.  I was exhausted before we ever left but Jake, Rachel and I drove to Logan yesterday.  We left early and drove and sang our way through Wyoming.  It was a fun car ride and Jake and I took turns driving.  Rachel is behind on her AP homework so she was supposedly finishing that in the back seat but whenever we asked, she was watching something like Chicken Run or an equally intelluctually stimulating movie.  We got to USU and found Jake's apartment.  His room mate and parents were there moving in too.  We moved in all of his stuff and then made a list of everything that he still needed.  Then we went to Desert Book and Wal-Mart to get him rounded out.  He needed a new set of scriptures and a case before he starts his prep classes.  He was hard on his scriptures and many pages are missing.  He also got a highlighter like the one you had because you liked it so much.  We forgot odd things like silverware, toilet paper and hangers.  Also there are two drawers that will lock and his room and his apartment all have hotel like locks on the doors.  I hope he doesn't lock himself out of his room while in the bathroom.  We went to see Grandma and Grandpa but they weren't home - go figure!  We left them a note and stopped by Kelly's.  Sheldon opened the door and didn't know who we were until he saw Jake, then his face lit up...  Grrr.  :)  Anyway, we had to give him a hard time about that.  Brandon was there too and his leg is doing much better. Taylor wasn't there but we saw her beautiful wedding dress.  We couldn't stay long because we had to pick up the scriptures and still eat and take the Wal-Mart load into his room.  We finally left Logan about 10:30 and didn't get to the Beelek's until about 11:30.  We went to church with them today in their new ward in Draper.  We are sending pictures.  The one in front of the Draper Temple was taken just outside of their church.  The church and the temple share the same parking lot.  They are buying a lot near the temple and it is a beautiful area.  The kids seem very excited about their new adventures and new schools.  All will be going to a new school except for Michael who will be riding the train to Ogden to continue going to his nerd school as he calls it.  Tomorrow is their first day of school so we are all getting up very early to leave by 6:30am.  They have to drive to Draper everyday and it is an hour each way.  They are moving out on Thursday so next week should be much better for them.  

I am flying to Oregon this week on Wednesday after teaching the first two days of school.  Hopefully everything will work out and our conference will be worth it for the teachers.  I am a little worried about it but oh well, it is what it is at this point.  Church was really good today, Sacrament meeting was about prayer and then RS was about unity.  I can tell that the Beelek's will love this ward and are very excited to move there.  

Have a good week!  

Love you!

Mom

P.S. When you are reading this I will probably be driving through Wyoming again so think of us!  By the way, did you get the money that I taped to the back of your letter?  

P.P.S. I am in denial about leaving Jake tomorrow - sad day for me!  He is ready to go though.

Dear Megan,
 
Okay now I can respond to you. I had to go back a re-read your letter. Mom even added a picture of Fufu that she found on the internet. Do you have any idea how amazing your mother is? She seems to have so much energy, I just cannot seems to keep up with her. 
 
This month I have really been working hard to get ready for seminary. Getting up at 5am will be hard to begin with, since I have been staying up late and getting up late all summer. One of the things that I have been drawn to is a devotional that featured the head of the seminary program. He said that it is okay to have doubts. Doubts about the church, doubts about your life, doubts about your situation, etc..... But what you do with those doubts is what counts. If you soften your heart to listen to the Lord, and try to find the answers in the scriptures, and live the commandments, then the Lord will answer your prayers and turn your doubts into Faith. Building faith over time from one trial to the next, until you come to the perfect knowledge of the truth. It doesnt all happen at once but after much patience, then you will receive "line upon line, and precept upon precept". 
 
In your letter it sounded like you followed the path to gain greater faith, not more doubt. You are an amazing daughter!, and you are a wonderful example to me. In fact, I went back to my missionary journal to see how I was feeling at times, especally when we couldnt get anyone to listen. it seems like after the trial of my faith, then the Lord would bless me when I least expected it. Keep up the good work and He will bless you, when you least expect it. In fact, it sounds like he is blessing you already. Take every small/large blessing and write it down. You will see that he is extending His tender mercies everywhere. And not just for you, but people around you.
 
Okay, now I want to be less dramatic. I had to travel for a couple days this week, but it felt like a month. I have been back to Hormel so many times. This big account started with a couple problems and then started to be increadably great. Then all of the sudden it started to go bad again. We are having problem after problem with the loggers going bad, the system works great and then we will get a logger that leaks! Arg, the one problem that we thought we would never have. anyway work is....well, work.
 
The ward had a 40 day fast that ended today. The ward mission leader (bro. brink) got everyone to sign up for a dinner over 40 days and then had the families fast the day the sister came to their house. Then they broke their fast with dinner and a spiritual thought from the sister encouraging us to "open our mouths" and invite our friends. We have been thinking about your last letter and wondering who we could invite. We are waiting for the right moment but I think we will invite our neighbors across the street. They have a girl one year younger than Elizabeth and then we will invite the sister also. We are trying to be better missionaries!
 
We are also trying to do better at reading the scriptures at night. Jake and Rachel have been reading the BoM on their own so we decided to read the D&C. Still trying to get better at every night. Not the most successful but plugging along anyway.
 
Jake is getting is Patriarticle blessing tomorrow night. Those of us that can fast, will but I am really looking forward to listening. He leaves next week for School and like you we are really going to miss him. I cant believe that it is hear already. 
 
Well, that seems to be all the news that I can think of, I know your mother sent her letter again from last week that wouldnt send and she sent some China pictures.
 
I know the Lord has been blessing you with tender mercies. Sometimes things are hard but keep your chin up, remember what the Lord has done for you and then you will be able to continue with a smile. 
 
I love you so much, and miss you. Lose yourself in the work and the Lord will bless you. 
 
Dad.
 

Rachel Sings the National Anthem at the Softball Game with Twilight!

September 5, 2013 - WOW!  Rachel you guys sound great!

Elizabeth's Birthday Party at Waterworld!

Villate, Elizabeth, London and Brianna at Waterworld with Mom, Dad and Rachel! 

We all ate Funnel Cake for a Birthday Treat!

Seriously?

Opening presents in the car on the way home!

Thank you for the presents!

Such a fun day!!!

Elizabeth to Temple and Jake get Patriarchal Blessing

Elizabeth at Denver Temple doing Baptisms for the Dead with YW

Dear Little Megan,

How are you?  I hope we aren't giving you to much to read this week.  I know I sent a lot of emails, links to movies and questions.  Hope you still have time to write after reading everything.  Dad and Rachel are at Seminary kick off right now!  Today, I had primary music and Jake had his last Sunday in the ward before leaving for USU.  Can you believe it?  I wish you were both going to be there at the same time but not sure if that will happen at all.  Isn't that weird?  We have been busy packing him up and getting last minute items.  

I started back to work all week and was in and out of meetings and school.  We are trying to start a BYOD (bring your own device) policy at Hulstrom and have the kids bring in either iPads or Chromebooks.  It will be an interesting journey.  We met with district IT on Friday and talked about how it will take $200,000 to upgrade our bandwidth just in our building alone.  I am  not sure how this is going to happen but I guess we will start fundraising asap.   

I had some teacher training at the CO History Museum on Thursday and Friday.  This year they are starting a new evaluation system that promises to be difficult to understand and potentially punitive for teachers.  I am concerned about the roll out and we got to talk to the state about it on Friday.  

Tuesday, I drove the YW to do baptisms for the dead at the Temple.  Elizabeth was so excited and had a great time.  They don't let big groups schedule before 3 now and are open for drop in baptisms.  It has been very successful and they have about 80 people a day coming in to do baptisms.  

Dad and I tried to go on a bike ride Saturday morning since he was out of town all week but when we unloaded the bikes, my tire was flat and that was after Dad had worked on it for an hour before that.  So, we had to load it back up and go home.  Bummer!  It was my last Saturday before school starts.  I can't seem to find the will to face it and seem very anxiety ridden about returning.  I'm not sure why.  

Kris sold her house and they are moving to Draper so I am not sure where we are going to stay when we take Jake on Saturday but Rachel is coming with us to move him in.  We will send pictures from Utah next week!

We had to postpone Elizabeth's birthday party because it was 60 degrees on the 7th and we didn't think the girls would have much fun at Waterworld so we are going tomorrow.  It is my last day of freedom as manditory meetings begin on Tuesday.  It should be fun hopefully although lugging tubes uphill isn't really my idea of a good time.  Elizabeth is so excited!  

I love you,

Mom

Dear Megan,

Okay now I can respond to you. I had to go back a re-read your letter. Mom even added a picture of Fufu that she found on the internet. Do you have any idea how amazing your mother is? She seems to have so much energy, I just cannot seems to keep up with her. 

This month I have really been working hard to get ready for seminary. Getting up at 5am will be hard to begin with, since I have been staying up late and getting up late all summer. One of the things that I have been drawn to is a devotional that featured the head of the seminary program. He said that it is okay to have doubts. Doubts about the church, doubts about your life, doubts about your situation, etc..... But what you do with those doubts is what counts. If you soften your heart to listen to the Lord, and try to find the answers in the scriptures, and live the commandments, then the Lord will answer your prayers and turn your doubts into Faith. Building faith over time from one trial to the next, until you come to the perfect knowledge of the truth. It doesnt all happen at once but after much patience, then you will receive "line upon line, and precept upon precept". 

In your letter it sounded like you followed the path to gain greater faith, not more doubt. You are an amazing daughter!, and you are a wonderful example to me. In fact, I went back to my missionary journal to see how I was feeling at times, especally when we couldnt get anyone to listen. it seems like after the trial of my faith, then the Lord would bless me when I least expected it. Keep up the good work and He will bless you, when you least expect it. In fact, it sounds like he is blessing you already. Take every small/large blessing and write it down. You will see that he is extending His tender mercies everywhere. And not just for you, but people around you.

Okay, now I want to be less dramatic. I had to travel for a couple days this week, but it felt like a month. I have been back to Hormel so many times. This big account started with a couple problems and then started to be increadably great. Then all of the sudden it started to go bad again. We are having problem after problem with the loggers going bad, the system works great and then we will get a logger that leaks! Arg, the one problem that we thought we would never have. anyway work is....well, work.

The ward had a 40 day fast that ended today. The ward mission leader (bro. brink) got everyone to sign up for a dinner over 40 days and then had the families fast the day the sister came to their house. Then they broke their fast with dinner and a spiritual thought from the sister encouraging us to "open our mouths" and invite our friends. We have been thinking about your last letter and wondering who we could invite. We are waiting for the right moment but I think we will invite our neighbors across the street. They have a girl one year younger than Elizabeth and then we will invite the sister also. We are trying to be better missionaries!

We are also trying to do better at reading the scriptures at night. Jake and Rachel have been reading the BoM on their own so we decided to read the D&C. Still trying to get better at every night. Not the most successful but plugging along anyway.

Jake is getting is Patriarticle blessing tomorrow night. Those of us that can fast, will but I am really looking forward to listening. He leaves next week for School and like you we are really going to miss him. I cant believe that it is hear already. 

Well, that seems to be all the news that I can think of, I know your mother sent her letter again from last week that wouldnt send and she sent some China pictures.

I know the Lord has been blessing you with tender mercies. Sometimes things are hard but keep your chin up, remember what the Lord has done for you and then you will be able to continue with a smile. 

I love you so much, and miss you. Lose yourself in the work and the Lord will bless you. 

Dad.

Dad Goes To Girl's Camp!

Rachel, Elizabeth and Dad at Girls Camp in Estes Park

Add caption

I make this horse also named Rachel look good!

Say What?

Dear Zuster Israelsen,

Well, its Elizabeths birthday today. thank heavens its finally here, She has been talking about it for 6 months. She wanted to wake everyone up at 7:30am to open presents but I told her that would not be the best idea. Instead of having a pleasent day, Rachel and Jake would be mad the whole time. So at 8am this morning I told your mother that Elizabeth must not be that excited because she didnt wake us up, but then we went into the front room and there she was waiting for all of us to get up! You would think that it was Christmas. She has also be relishing the fact that she did not have to do anything today. No job, no dishes, anything!

I have been trying to get ready for seminary by taking some training online. It has been helpful to organize my thoughts and how I want to segment the scriptures to get maximum coverage. I am very excited to teach BOM this year. More so than I have been for the Old and new testament. I really want to get a better understanding of the Book of Mormon, so maybe my excitement is purely personal. I have been teaching the Sophomores but they had over 30 freshman sign up this year so they are going to put the freshman and sophomores together and then split them in half between brother Green and me. I hope it works out well. I am going to still team teach with Sister Jones. She always took over for me when I had to leave town for my trips. Which was about once a month. 

I have another inservice seminary teacher training in the morning, 6am. I have been sleeping in for the summer so I have to get back to the 5am routine again. 

Well, this week I went on the YW's campout. I had a blast! I loved going with Elizabeth and Rachel as well as the other girls in the ward. Rachel is away very nice to the other girls and makes them feel a part of the group. I love that about her. Elizabeth got to go even though she was not 12 for 3 more days (she is still learning how to camp and not whine). We went on about a 7 mile hike to Bear Lake, Nimph lake, dream lake, and emerald lake. Then we went to a couple of waterfalls. On our way to one of the water falls the girls saw a mother bear and her 2 cubs that just walked across the trail like they were not even there! I was so bummed that I did not get to see it!!! I was in the back helping the stragglers. The next day we went on a 3 hour horseback ride. That was ammazing!!, the horses were very docile but we went up and down some very steep mountains that were pretty scary. Elizabeth did so well on the horse and she loved it. after awhile she said she was bored and then the really steep parts came and she wasnt bored anymore. Rachel's horse tripped and fell to its knees one time, that was scary. She said that was her first time riding without a leader just holding the horse. Which made me wonder if you have ridden a horse and maybe we should go next summer. 3 hours was plenty of time because my hips and knees started to ache. The girls had a testimony meeting on wednesday night, but very few of them bore their testimonies. I was a little disappointed but we only went for one night and it was hard to get in the mood in such a short period of time. The spirit was still there.

A couple of people in the ward wanted to know if they could write to you and I thought the best way was to post a message to your blog page. So, look for any postings over the next week or 2. The people that really want to write are Sister Carlson and Brother Kirby. They ask about you every Sunday. You must have made a great impression on them while you were in their Sunday School class. 

It sounds like you have been busy with changes again, but you have been having some success. I know the Lord will bless you and the members of the church in your area. The Lord has been hastening his work even more with this new change for younger missionaries. I heard a quote today that the Lord needs more missionaries because Jesus Christ himself is hastening the work. Not that missionaries are out to find more and more, but that the Lord has prepared more people to hear the gospel and He is training teachers (missionaries) to teach them. 

I know you will do your best to help the Lord. I am so proud of you! and Love you so much. 

Love, DAD  

Hello Zuster!

Happy Birthday!  Hey! Rachel, Be Happy!

Birthday Clothes!

Today was Elizabeth's birthday!  I can't believe she is 12 and went to YW for the first time.  I no longer have any kids in Primary - weird!  You are so good to remember everyone's birthday and get a card to them on time.  She was very excited to open your card!  It was an interesting week.  Rachel, Elizabeth and Dad went to Estes Park overnight and rode horses with the YW.  I will let them tell you about it but they seemed to all have a great time.  I stayed home and went to the Dr., worked on my presentation for later this month in Oregon and other exciting stuff like shop for birthday, college stuff etc.  We fed the missionaries (all 4 of them) on Monday night, they are doing a 40 day fast in the ward and challenging each family to pray about missionary experiences.  Then I went over to Eileen Campbell's to listen to Alice tell us about how Bruce is doing with his heart stuff.  He had his 4th stent put in this week (4 blocked veins 80-90% each).   Anyway, they caught it in time and he should live a long and happy life. Jake and I went shopping on Saturday finally as he is leaving soon and I haven't been able to pin him down.  I also got to take care of the Ellis's dogs as the girls and dad were gone.  They get more treats when I go over because I don't like them to jump on me.  

Elizabeth pulled out another tooth today, it is a wonder she can eat anything!

Another Missing Tooth!

Today was Primary music and Just Serve committee meetings around Elizabeth's birthday.  She has been so excited all day.  Rachel did her hair and she got a new dress.  She had a temple recommend interview and gets to go to the temple on Tuesday to do baptism's for the dead.  I get to go with them.  She had ice cream cake and more presents tonight.  

I am going to go into school tomorrow - AUGHHHHH!  I can't quite face it but here we go I guess.

Love you!

Mom

July 2013

Elizabeth with Mom and Dad at Garden of the Gods

Hi Zuster!

First, we just got an update from Emily so here is her post if you are interested.  I am recording Emily's MTC experiences on a blog so you can view her letters and photos. 

Thanks to Laura for her help. Click on this link.  http://hermanaisraelsenchicagowest.blogspot.com/

I mostly get in the car and drive with Rachel to Waterworld everyday.  She is working, working, working and her shift is usually Thunderbay which is a little stressful.  She can count on at least one save a day and has had a few rough ones lately.  Elizabeth is still working hard at Mathnasium and finished swimming.  She spent her last Sunday in Primary today.  Weird that I will no longer have any children in Primary - then I drive Jake to school in a few weeks - stop the torture already!  

Gross!

Tuesday, I was meeting with some teacher friends about online stuff and got a text from Loralee.  Apparently Jake had been trying to call me but the call didn't go through.  He was injured at the work site and had to go to the emergency room for stitches.  He was pushing a wheelbarrow full of rocks and got a running start and the front of the wheelbarrow hit a grate and stopped but Jake didn't.  His leg hit a bolt on the wheelbarrow which split open his shin and then cut down.  It is not a nice injury and there will be a pretty good scar for him to remember Egress by.  We went to the dr. the next morning though and he was cleared to work on Thursday.  So, we wrapped his leg up good and he worked on Thursday and Friday.  He is on antibiotics and doing a good job of keeping it wrapped.  

Stitches!  Manly Scar!

Still Standing!

Matt and Becca Thornton and Family

Elizabeth and kids at Garden of the Gods

Dinner!

Matt and Becca and their family came to visit us this week.  They arrived on Wednesday night and stayed until Friday about noon.  We fed them here on Wednesday and then on Thursday, we drove to see the Temple and then to The Garden of the Gods and Red Rocks.  On Friday, they drove through Rocky Mountain National Park and then on to Glenwood Springs to sit in the hot springs.  They saw Moose and baby moose, mountain goats and elk.  I think they saw more than we usually  see.  It was fun to have them but I decided I am to old for grandchildren.  Thursday night we kept the 5 kids so that Matt and Becca could go to Boulder, Pearl Street and eat at Cheesecake.  The boys knocked the medicine cabinet off the wall and broke it so you and Elizabeth will get to have something new in your bathroom!  It was fun to see them and I can tell that Matt feels the weight of the world on him as the Bishop of his ward and Becca seems overwhelmed with it as well.  They have a very young family to have that kind of a calling.  I wish them all the best and hope that we made their vacation a little  easier.  We cooked on the deck and had sausages and pancakes for breakfast.  You dad left me to make pancakes on Thursday morning when he had jury duty and I left him on Friday morning when I took kids down to the History Museum to give some feedback on a new website about Amache that opens the museum experience to you online.  They had some great ideas and the site is amazing.  

I went to see Curtains as the Arvada center on Friday night with the ladies except for Alice.  At the last minute, Bruce has some chest pain and when they took him in they found that he needed 4 stents in his heart but can only to 2 at a time.  He has 4 veins that are 80-90% blocked.  Can you believe that with his exercise schedule?  He is very upset but I am glad they found it before he had a heart attack.  It is important to take care of yourself!  I didn't like Curtains that much.  The cast worked so hard and it is a fun show within a show but it just lacked something...  We are changing it up next year and seeing different things, a new dinner theatre in Longmont, the symphony is doing a Beatles show at the Paramount, the new musical that won the Tony for Best Picture "Once" next May.  It should be a fun year to try new things.  

Today I did a primary song review by playing pictionary with the songs they need to know for the program.  Next week we start learning A Child's Prayer - any suggestions as to how to teach that?  

We didn't hear back from Zuster Robinson and don't dare count on your release date so we think we will have to let the river cruise offer go - bummer.  Keep us posted.  Once we meet up with you, we just want to do what you want to do.  

How is your transfer?  Do you just have one companion now?  I would guess that you are going to be training all the time from now on.  

Love you,

Mom