a know it all companion

Wow, so close…I was putting Hope to bed when I realized that I hadn't emailed you yet.

This week was filled with lots of good things for us.

Zach passed his driving test ( he took it in his drivers ed class-not the dmv) and I took him to get his learners permit. Dad took him to the church parking lot and practiced with him. He has driven to Jacobs house and back a few times. He also drove the car to church today. He is kind of scary but I'm sure he will improve.

Paige asked another guy to the dance only to be told he had been asked earlier that day. So, she asks Mathew Todd in our ward and he said yes. She will need to send you pictures of how she asked and how she was answered. It was really funny.

Paige also received an Honors Scholarship to Weber State University. It is for two semesters- it probably won't cover everything but it is better than nothing. She is waiting to see if she gets some others. The funny thing is-she didn't even apply for a scholarship to Weber.  If she ends up going there, we are going to see if she can stay with Uncle Mike and Aunt Teri cause they live a lot closer then we do.

Ethan is loving tae kwon do.  They don't do the forms that you had to learn. They teach them the moves and then the teacher practices with each student how to use it. At the end of each class they get to spar.  The part I like, is the teacher is very big on grades and reading. Ethan has to read 3 books before he can get his next belt and write reports on them and turn them in.  He also has a chore chart for every month with daily chores on it he has to do. Easy ones-like make his bed and clean his room. Also, there is a part about showing respect to parents and others that I have to fill out.  They are very focused on their student being well educated and respectful which is great.

Parker is doing well in school except he forgets to turn in his homework-sound like someone you know? His teacher also says she has to re focus him quit often because he day dreams often. But he is at the top of the class in every subject.

Hope is having fun being a big tease lately-ecpecially with Zach. It is really funny to watch. She even teases Jacob now when he come over. Watch out, she will have it down to a science by the time you get home.

I sent the package 1 week ago Wednesday. You should get it sometime the end of this week. 

Hope things are going well with you. If you have time tell us about some of your investigators and what you are up too.

Love, Mom

Well, i am glad i am not on that side of the world right now, zach would probably run all of us over. haha im just kidding, i thought he would pass the permit test in class its 4 times easier is what i hear. now i wound how he will do when he is doing range and road. atleast i know that he will only be driving alone for 4 months when i get home if he gets his licence in a year.

I will have to ask paige, i havent had a reply from her for a long time.

Thats good that ethan is being told to do those things by someone else. its also good new not sitting in front of the tv all day anymore.

I dont know what to think about Parker, he is the biggest air head i know!!! hey in 8th grade i didnt forget to turn in my homework, The teacher hated me!!! I did some of the same homework 4 times i know thats why i stopped turning it in. but i did get into a bad habit because of that.

Hope is just a tease, but its really cool. I dont know if she will be as good as i am, i tease all the elders and sisters here all the time. I guess we will see who is a better tease when i get back.

Things are going Alright, my companion dosnt think i know the area.....oh boy this is going to be interesting last week if he keeps this up. This morning he told me that all i am going to do now is study the area book, and map for study.... dont know if thats gonig to happen.

I think i ate something that upset my stomach and so i have been having to take the work easier, but we will see how long it lasts, yesterday it felt fine but today its hurting a little again, i wonder if its some of the food i have in the fridge.

We have a really nice progressing her name is Agnes, she is about 26 years old and owns a hunny company and own a really nice place. she has been taking the lessons slow but has been coming to church every sunday, and befor he didnt go to church for 5 years. every time we visit her she is blown away.

emails from Loren

Hey Elder,

How are you?  You sounded more upbeat in your last message. I was glad to see that.  A mission is one of the hardest things you'll do in life, but it's also one of the most rewarding.  The only things that really compares for me was my marriage day, and holding each of you kids in the hospital after you were born.  I'm so proud of you and rejoice in the service you are offering to the people of Africa.

I got a call from a member of the stake high council (never a good sign right before stake conference).  They want me to setup and run the audio and video for the broadcast from the stake center to one of the other buildings.  We had a dry run tonight and it seemed to be working okay.  Now if we can just keep the members off the WiFi....

After much deliberation I decided to stop taking my blood thinners, and told the doctors as much.  I have been off the meds for about a week now, and feel fine.  I'll probably have to watch for symptoms of clotting pretty closely for a while though.

Zach has his learners permit (finally).  He's been out driving a couple of times with me and once with mom.  It hasn't been too bad.  He hasn't wrapped the car around a telephone pole yet.  :)  He has driven around the church parking lot (remember that?) and to Anna's house and back a couple of times.  

Hope was asking (again) about when you were coming home and we had to reminder that she has to turn five before that happens.  I think she is under the impression that once she turns five that POP! you'll magically appear.  We're going to have to start managing her expectations that it's still going to be a while.  

I had an impromptu choir sing Families Can be Together Forever today in church.  I had the bishopric make a point of inviting any primary children who wanted to sing.  We probably had 50 people in the choir.  It sounded pretty good ("really" good, according to the bishopric).  We're starting ward choir practice again.  First practice was last Saturday. Had two people show up besides me and the accompanist.  Hopefully we'll get more participation soon.  

I've arranged another hymn.  This time strictly instrumental, with flutes, violins and the piano.  It's In Humility Our Savior.  I've attached an MP3, so let me know what you think when you get a chance to listen to it.  

Love,

Dad

I am doing alright, my companion doesnt think that i know the area......... hes been yelling at me for the past few days its a good think that transfers are happening next tuesday!! I dont know what to think about that kid anymore. Need less to say if he keeps it up he has a lot to learn hahaha. its a good thing that the ap's are just next door if he gets to out of line. i can tell what you mean when you say you will go though some of the hardest things on mission.

A Zach finally got his licence huh thats good and bad, At least i know he will only be driving alone for 4 months before i get home. maybe my car will be in one peace still when i get home. Yeah, i remember driving in the church parking lot execept i was in Manuel car not automatic haha and i also remember trying to get it started in 3rd gear. that went well.  that was like the only trouble i had with getting the car moving for the most part. i had it harder than he did.

so you get to go and work the technical stuff at church for stake conference huh that sounds like fun. you should tell me how that goes.

Hope must really miss me that poor girl. there is only a little more than a year left. so its not to far away.

I did end up getting a stomach ache on saturday it has been coming and going as it pleases so i went to the mission doctor and he gave me some medication to take for a little to see if it helps. it still does the same thing so far so i am going to go see him again later tonight after work ad see what he says this time. hopefully he goes away soon.

So after trying to get into my email a few tries last week i was finally able to get into it. so i will be able to send picture again i only had to reset my password 5 times......that was fun i almost ran out of ideas.