A View of the Hills: October Letters

October 5th,

Hi Lincoln,

How are you doing down there? I've really been missing you lately. We sure love you and are so proud of you. We love talking to you every Monday! What a great General Conference weekend! I hope you were able to enjoy it?

Our week was a very busy one. Yesterday, I was able to watch Gwen and Ned at tennis playoffs. It was fortunate that both of them had to attend Faith Lutheran so that I could watch them both! Both of them went just to sub in, but they both got to play!

Today we enjoyed Conference, cinnamon rolls, and a trip to Cadence Park to enjoy the slightly cooler weather.

Dad was a good neighbor and helped Nadine with some of her sprinkler system that needed to be updated. She, in turn, drove him to his colonoscopy appointment. I was able to leave work a little early on Friday to go pick him up. It was a bit comical as they gave him some good drugs, so upon waking up from his procedure, he said he felt amazing. I could tell from his text messages that he was a little loopy.

Nyle and West had a soccer game yesterday, but I wasn't able to go as I was out at Faith Lutheran, watching Gwen and Ned. I guess they lost, which was a little bit of a blow because of how good they usually are. The team Dad was given is a little rougher this year... most of them can't even run all the way around the field. Dad is working his magic on them, but it's still a challenge.

Gwen is a little excited that tennis season is over (Basic girls lost yesterday so they are out of Regionals). She plans on ramping up her piano studio again to start earning more money.

Ned's team won yesterday, so they're still going this week.

I'm going to start parent-teacher conferences this week at school, which will keep me busy for the next few weeks. I'm also loving the slightly cooler weather. October is such an awesome month for the weather here!

We look forward to talking to you tomorrow! We hope you're doing well. I think and pray for you all the time and hope you are doing well!

Love you so much!

Mom and Dad

October 12th

Hi Lincoln,

We love you!

It's becoming fall here and we love it! Yesterday, I made some sourdough and honey wheat bread. Gwen made some pumpkin snickerdoodles and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. We are fully embracing the fall season here! It rained really hard here on Friday night, which cooled things off a little. It has rained pretty hard this fall, harder than it has rained since we first moved into this house. Just a few updates about us:

Dad has been learning so much about ICF blocks and has been sketching designs for our future house that will maximize the use of the blocks. His designs are so detailed and intricate... It's really impressive!

Gwen entertained us with a beautiful choir concert last Monday (you may recall). She is also done with tennis, so she is finding herself with more time and therefore has signed on a few more piano students.

Ned's tennis season is officially over. They had a great strategy on Thursday in an attempt to beat Liberty. They switched the roster around quite a bit, and Ned was able to play as the Number 2 singles player. He won his game, but not enough of his teammates won, so they were narrowly beaten by Liberty, throwing them out of the running in State. With that loss, Ned is now officially done with tennis, but excited to have some more time after school.

Nyle and West were on fire yesterday at their soccer game. They are both so amazing--running non-stop and with some great soccer moves to boot! I just love watching them. We all went to cheer them on, but Ned didn't get to watch much of the soccer game. Our team was playing against Benny Jerez's team so Ned spent the entirety of the soccer game entertaining Enzo- who REALLY likes Ned. Ned's really fun and good with him, so it's easy to see why. Ned has also figured out a way to practice tennis on his own. He set up the small trampoline upright against the wall under the basketball hoop, put a line of tape on the trampoline, and practices hitting the ball against the trampoline. West likes to do it as well.

Nyle had a lot of fun with his buddies last night. These days, they are always either playing football at the park, over at one of their homes, or out on the golf course chasing coyotes at night.

West has become quite the tennis player as well. He usually tags along with Dad and Ned when they go play, and from what Dad says, he's getting really good.

I'm doing well, enjoying the changing seasons and the opportunity to bake more. School is going well. I have a good class, and parent-teacher conferences are going on right now. I have already met with 11/24 parents. I enjoy meeting with parents-it's such a great way to encourage progress for these students.

Also, a highlight today was going to Heather Tomlinson's farewell. She is going to be such a great missionary because she knows why she is going to serve. She talked about seeking happiness through accomplishments (grades, talents, perfection). When she found the gospel and, more specifically, a relationship with the Savior, that's when she knew she had found lasting joy. She's excited to share that joy with those she'll come in contact with in Portugal. That's exactly what you're doing. Bring joy in the only real way possible to the people of Guatemala.

We love you and can't wait to hear your news about transfers. Tomorrow, Gunner might join us in the afternoon to come say hello to you. That should be fun. He said he's in town until Tuesday, so he should be able to come say hello. Keep healthy and keep the faith. You are doing God's work-- We couldn't be more proud of you!

~Love,

Mom and Dad

October 19th,

Hi Lincoln,

How was your first week with your new companion in your second transfer? I can't wait to hear from you tomorrow! We've had a good and busy week. The fall weather is becoming so perfect here. Just a few updates about what we're up to:

The kids just started the 2nd quarter of school. It was a staff development day on Friday so Zach took all four kids out to Logandale to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa. They spent the day visiting, quilting, riding four-wheelers, running the tractor and then having a fire in the evening. I went to work :(.

Yesterday, Nyle and West had another great soccer game. It was a close one, but they pulled off a win 6:5. Both Nyle and West scored goals. Nyle might have scored two goals. They were running non-stop, and their ball-handling skills are getting so good!

Gwen and Ned are chugging through school. Ned is doing so well at SECTA. He tells me his advanced manufacturing class is getting more fun as it is more hands on. Gwen continues to keep busy with school and piano lessons.

West had the privilege of going on a fun field trip to the farmer's market on Friday. Only a few of the student council kids were allowed to go so it was a special treat. He said it was the best field trip yet!

Last night we went to a tri-ward Trunk-or-Treat. It was crazy how many people showed up. I've never been to a church event like it. The entire gym was packed with tables, even the overflow had tables set up and occupied. There was live music (a full-on band), carnival booths in the courtyard, and then the trunk-or-treat in the parking lot. It was a bit stimulating, but it made me happy to see so many people engaging.

Today was a special day. First, we went out to Chandler's farewell. He gave such an amazing talk. He is so ready to go and will be an awesome missionary, just like you. Afterwards, we stayed visited for a bit at Uncle Eric's. Then we rushed back to our ward to catch the second hour so we wouldn't have to get subs and were able to catch Lily's farewell talk. She was set apart last Sunday and will head to the CCM on Thursday. She is also so ready. It's so exciting to hear all these amazing youth going out to serve. The Lord is truly hastening his work!

Lastly, I thought it would be beneficial for me to share my testimony with you through brief snippets of thoughts in these emails. One of my favorite scriptures is Helaman 5:12. You should read it...it's a little long to include here. I love it because it reminds me that when focused and built upon the Savior, it doesn't matter what comes my way--I cannot fall. Life can be so challenging sometimes, but I don't have to lose my balance if I'm focused on the Savior. He is real and through His church. He allows and invites us to bind ourselves to Him through covenants!

We love you so much and are so proud of the work you are doing. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Ned and Nyle- characters from Clash Royale

West- Logandale

October 26th,

Hi Lincoln,

¿Cómo va? Can't wait to talk to you tomorrow! I hope all is well? We are doing well.

School/work is busy as usual. We had a busy week, and Gwen snuck some fun into our weekend by resurrecting the "You've been Booed" tradition. No one had yet started the tradition this season. She added a little twist and made her own flier with a Dabbing Ghost. Then she took her brothers to deliver the treats. Ned had plans to sit out by the window to hopefully catch someone in case we were booed the following night (last night). Unfortunately, he was out on the golf course last night running around with the Jerez's dog (who is awfully cute and very reminiscent of Blaze) and missed the doorbell of the mysterious Booers. He was really hoping to be able to chase them down to discover who they were, even though it could have really only been one of three families since they had just delivered the first Boo treats the night before to the Williamsons, Boormans, and Battistones. It made for some clean, mischievous fun.

Ned is slogging his way through SECTA math with a teacher who doesn't teach. Fortunately, Gwen took really good notes when she was there and can tutor him. She has been so helpful!

Nyle and West are still killing it on the field with soccer. Your dad is such a great coach! Nyle and West have such amazing ball-handling skills. I hear people all the time commenting on them during play, like "Wow, look at that move!" or "What a great pass!" You boys are all such natural athletes! Ned usually sits with me and comments that he wishes he could be out there playing. I wish he could, too.

Last night, we had the privilege to feed the missionaries. After they left, the other set of missionaries in our ward dropped by and asked if we remembered Cathy (the lady we helped move in last fall). I had just been thinking of her the day previous so I said, yes, of course. They had dropped by and asked if I would be willing to go with them today (Sunday) to visit as her son had asked for them to come back. I went by with them today and had a good visit with her. She is going through a lot with her health and that of her husband. She's a little overwhelmed, so it was nice to be able to visit and lift a little.

Today, for home church, Dad and I taught about D&C 121:34-46. What a great set of scriptures that teach with clarity how Power in the Priesthood is bestowed and wielded. I especially love how verses 41-46 line out what it takes to truly have that Power and thus confidence in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Which, of course, is always a possibility for those of us with the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We love you and can't wait to talk to you tomorrow. We hope and pray you're doing well! Love you!

Mom and Dad

Just a few pics of Gwen with her "We've Been Booed" sign and cookies, a desert sunset and West's crazy hair- but I promise, he's still an angel;).