September Letters

Labor Day- Bike Ride down by the wash

West at "Tinker Bell" Park

September 7th

Dear Lincoln, 

We sure love you!  This past weekend was Stake Conference.  It was so great!  The focus was on getting to the temple.  Dad and I have been going more frequently lately.  Unfortunately, the temple will now be closed until October 29th.  We're so glad we have one close--we're pretty spoiled.  

We've been thinking a lot about you as you get ready to fly out to Guatemala.  I ran into Danette Hafen (Scott Hafen's mom) last week, and she was asking about you.  Everyone asks about you. I told her you would be heading to Guatemala soon.  She said that that was a difficult transition for Scott because his first companion was a native.  It was hard for a little bit, but he said that once he made it through the first few transfers, he felt much better.  

I was thinking about you-- you seem so confident and capable.  You have accomplished many difficult things before, but if you find that this new transition is particularly challenging, just remember that it has been difficult for many others as well. The most important thing is for you to turn to the Lord and persevere in your efforts!  

Now for the updates:  

• Gwen and Ned are thick into tennis.  Tomorrow (Monday), they will be able to play each other at SECTA so Dad and I'll get to go watch them both at the same time!  
• Yesterday, we had a fun visit from Aunt Camrin and Brandon. They were taking a day road trip to pick up a slot machine (They've started collecting them). It was fun to catch up with them.  They are really missing James right now so they wanted something to get their minds off of that.  
• Nyle and West have started soccer practice with Dad as their coach.    They love it!  
• Dad can't seem to decide on a car, so we probably won't be getting one for a while. I've come to that conclusion, and I'm totally fine with it, since both Dad and I can ride our bikes to work.  

We hope you liked the video we sent! We made three because we weren't sure what the hermanas wanted.  I'll forward them all to you.  Please thank the awesome hermanas in your district! Per the video we shared, Dad also wanted to recommend D&C 82:10. There's a pretty amazing promise there based on our actions.  Heavenly Father promises to protect and lift us as long as we keep His commandments.  

We love you and can't wait to talk to you on Tuesday!

~Love, 

Mom and Dad

September 14th, 

Hi Lincoln!

We've been thinking and praying for you so much this week. I've been wearing the bracelet you made for me at Lake Powell all the time!  I hope things are going well in Guatemala?  How is your companion?  How is the area?  Where are you?

I'll do some bullet point updates today:

• Gwen and Ned are as busy as ever with tennis.  They each had three matches last week.  I think they're getting a little worn down with tennis. However, Ned still likes to practice with Dad whenever he can. Friday, we went to watch SECTA beat Green Valley.  That was a lot of fun! 
• Today in church, the AC was out again, it was very warm, and it made me pretty sleepy.  Even so, we had a great meeting with the Drohn family, speaking about trials.  
• Gwen, Ned, Nyle, and West have started playing Settlers of Zarahemla on Sundays.  Nyle played with them for a bit, but his patience waned and he cut out early.  
• Gwen went to the dance last night while Ned and Dad and I went to play tennis.  West really likes to tag along and play, too.  It's so nice to have these tennis courts so close.  
• Nyle is really enjoying spending time with friends, Jayson Robinson and Desmond.  That's where he can usually be found.  
• Ned was just set apart as the Teacher's Quorum president today.  He'll do such a great job! 
• Still no car for Dad, though he keeps looking. Lately, he's been striking out with all the cars he's been inquiring about. We'll see how this all goes.  
• Things are going well for me at work. Tomorrow is a Staff Development Day so I'll go to  some training and the kids get to sleep in.  

We can't wait to hear from you!  We love you so much!

Love, 

Mom and Dad

September 21st, 

Hi Lincoln, 

How are you?  Did you get over your cold/flu?  I sure hope so!  It's sad to see you feeling sick.  We've been praying for you every day!  Have you figured out how to get enough water to drink?  

Things are going well here.  Today was Ryan Robinson's farewell. He'll get set apart next Sunday, but next Sunday is the primary program, so he won't be able to have his farewell then.  

He gave a great address. Next up will be Lily (and Heather Tomlinson), who will both be leaving in October, along with Chandler.  Lots of missionaries are leaving right now!  

Gwen is doing well, I took her out to BC yesterday to go for a jog and get an A&W root beer float, just for fun.  It was a beautiful day and fun to run around BC.  Today she gave a talk about how the light of Christ shown by others lights the path for her.  In part of her talk, she spoke about you and the example you have set for her. 

Ned and Dad have been going to play tennis A LOT!  It's fun to go with them, Ned is getting so good!  Ned is also doing well at SECTA...learning how to stay on top of all the work.  

Nyle is doing well. He's getting the hang of 7th grade, and is enjoying his robotics class.  Primarily, he enjoys anything related to problem-solving in video games.  He's always searching up ways to do more in Minecraft, and I often find him on my phone playing Clash Royale.  

West is just generally awesome. I can't remember if I told you that he was elected as one of two  student council representatives of his class.  He continues to enjoy learning, soccer and life in general.  He's just a happy, active kid!  

Dad has been enjoying poring over his house plans again, tweaking them and learning more about ICF construction.  He can't wait to build a home with ICF.  He's also enjoying coaching Ned in tennis and Nyle and West in soccer. 

I'm busy as ever with teaching, mothering, and wife-ing (if that is even a verb;).  I'm happy, but sure miss you.  I still walk by the third floor and call out, "I miss you Lincoln".  I'm happy that we get to talk to you on your Pdays.  

Also, I just learned some great news for you.  I hopped onto your BYU account to ensure that they received your high school transcripts that I requested be sent. I learned that they had received them, and that they are accepting about 38 of your college credits.  You're completely done with your electives and 56% done with your general education courses.  That means you'll effectively be about a second-semester Sophomore when you begin your studies at BYU!   They seem to anticipate that you'll enter the pre-business program at BYU based off the courses you've taken at CSN.  I thought that all was pretty good news! 

 

We hope you are doing well!  Love you so much! 

Rootbeer Floats post-run

September 28th

Hi Lincoln,

We love you!  How did your divisions go last week?  How is your Spanish going?  This was another good and busy week.  Today we enjoyed the Primary Program.  The Primary kids are so cute, and they did such a great job!  I enjoyed playing the piano for them--such a dream calling!

Gwen and Ned are nearing the end of the tennis season, with just this week for regular matches before they go to Regionals next week. Gwen went to a Benson Boone concert on Friday, and all of us enjoyed an intense thunderstorm here.  West got caught in it on his bike ride home from school, and I was caught in it while helping the kids at my school get onto their buses.  It felt like a hurricane!  The rain came on so quickly and was completely horizontal with some hail mixed in.  I don't know if I've ever been so wet from rain.  I was worried about West since I knew he was riding his bike home alone, but he made it ok, if not completely drenched.  We've been having some fun tropical-type storms, but it looks as though it will dry up this week.  

Ned and Gwen enjoyed a fun activity at the church last night- it was a youth concert.  It was supposed to be outside, but with another storm coming, they moved it indoors.  

Nyle had fun going to Jayson's birthday party on Friday.  They had pizza and watched the Fantastic Four.  Since it's technically Fall now, Nyle committed me to making pizza last night, and it was fun to have a pizza night again.  We love the changing seasons, even if we don't get much change.

Dad coached a winning soccer game yesterday.  He's back at it- helping these kids improve and make a stellar team.  They were running a ton and came out of the game right at the start aggressively.  I think they won 6-3.  Nyle and West are so fun to watch.  They are so fast and active.  They both have powerful kicks and really good ball handling skills.    

We're looking forward to General Conference this weekend.  It should be eventful and at the least, inspiring.  

We miss you, but sure love talking to you on Mondays.  We hope you are doing well!  

Love you!

Mom and Dad

West- Rakin' in the Rocket Math Graduations