Letters from Home – Page 160 – A blog by Angela Ross

Trudy

What a happy surprise to have my friend Trudy and her mother drop in with English candies and all their news. They’ve lived in America for many years, but they are originally from England. Her mother’s voice and accent are unforgettable to me.

Trudy moved in down the street when I was about 13. We became friends after I tried to comb out all the tangles in her hair when she got pneumonia and had to spend weeks in bed. I had good times at their home. I loved their Christmas celebrations with traditional English fare in lavish portions in a beautiful presentation on their table. Trudy was there to help me get ready for my prom date; she was there when I made transitions to high school, college, and a new apartment. I played the violin for her missionary farewell. We dried each other’s tears and sometimes we were silly.

Trudy’s hair is beyond gorgeous, and these two women are masterful teachers and they love children. Each has an advanced degree in education. I didn’t have a maid of honor or a bridesmaid at my wedding because Trudy was serving a mission in California and I couldn’t imagine anyone else standing in that role. She’s such a dear and generous friend. I am so glad she took the time to visit!

Forty

Well.

What a nice birthday celebration. I wrote 40 letters this week to important people in my life. What a great way to feel completely content with everything and everyone. My life is full of miracles, including the placement and timing of friends, teachers, and family.

On my birthday, cards and kind gestures arrived in abundance. I enjoyed a lunch with my lunch date, Mark, who slicked back his hair and wore his fabulous new glasses, and my mom and one of my sisters. I got to hear the kids perform on the piano. I felt healthy and I had energy. I’ve loved playing my new violin, which was Richard’s birthday gift. The sun was shining and the light was golden and the view from every window was colorful because of the autumn leaves. I watched the full moon rise over the mountains. We shared delicious milkshakes as a family.

One of the songs from our church musical is about finding evidence of our Heavenly Father’s hand in our lives. It has a line which says,

“For how could we hope to see His face, who never could see His hand?”

This week as I listened and sang along to the music in my kitchen, the truth of that line made me a little breathless with emotion. Gratitude (acknowledging His hand) is a step to seeing His face. What a comfort to see His love. What joy in the seeking.

Two musicals this month

Paige and I are singing in the musical, From Cumorah’s Hill later this month. Paige is also being featured in a video section of this production. We invite you to attend on Thursday, November 20 or Saturday, November 22! It’s a big production with a gorgeous set, powerful music, and my favorite: the youth share their love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Daniel is attending rehearsals for this, but he won’t be able to perform because he is playing piano for Les Miserables at his high school on those evenings. We invite you to come see Les Miserables on Friday, November 21.

Halloween 2014

The boys have been planning for months what they wanted to wear for Halloween. We worked hard to make each detail.

1-DSC_2316 — We covered Richard’s motorcycle helmet with painter’s tape and made the oxygen pack on his back with oatmeal containers. I found a design and ironed it on Mark’s sweats.

1-DSC_2314 — Timothy bought this shirt in August and I made the robe. The headband was made by my mom. We bought the beard and wig and made his staff from a milk jug with spray paint and some pvc pipe.

Are you wondering who these characters are that the boys chose for their costumes?

Clipboard01 — Mark was Benny from The Lego Movie

Clipboard02 — Timothy was Vitruvius from The Lego Movie

8 years ago

Eight years ago my dad and mom began their missionary journey. They were asked to come to the Church office building in Salt Lake City for several interviews before being called as a mission president and companion and there was a lot of training which began 6 months before they went to the missionary training center. My mom learned Spanish. My dad revisited his Spanish speaking skills. He shaved his mustache.

They moved out of their home and said goodbye to the grandchildren. It was a big deal in our family to see this happen.

They served for 3 years in the California San Bernardino mission. My mom taught, cooked, entertained, cooked, taught, loved, and spent a lot of time on the phone dealing with the health issues of their missionaries while my dad presided over the mission. There isn’t time to list all the things a mission president does for the missionaries, the people who are being taught by the missionaries, the members, and the community. I saw both my parents shine as they did the work. It was a busy, busy time.

Just a few months after they came home they were called to serve in the Provo Missionary Training Center. My dad served in branch presidencies and as a Branch President for Spanish speaking missionaries. This meant they would be at the MTC usually 2 nights a week and all day on Sundays. It meant my dad would read and respond to letters from his missionaries on another evening each week. My family was able to attend a sacrament meeting at the MTC on Christmas Day a few years ago. The missionaries spoke Spanish at whatever level they could. I saw how they loved my parents and how parents loved them. My dad has a great zeal for the gospel and my mom has a quiet wisdom that the missionaries love.

They were released on Sunday morning, which means that their service was accepted and they are no longer serving as missionaries. My heart broke a little bit for them, especially my dad. I am so proud of my parents. It’s been a marathon… an 8-year marathon, and they have touched so many lives.

Mark’s Quotes, Fall 2014

After coming home from playing with a puppy: “When Sparky was a puppy, did he think everything was a toy or was he born with dignity?” 8-19-14

While writing thank you notes: “I wonder if there is such thing as a ‘you’re welcome note?‘” 10-1-14

After practicing a fast song on the piano: “That song always makes me slightly dazed.” 10-2-14

Talking about surgery and anesthesia (No one is having surgery; we’re just talking about it.): “I’m not really cool about being put to sleep. I’d probably be okay with a Harry Potter potion, though.” 10-22-14

“If you know you’re not sick and your feel your forehead and it’s warm, does that mean your brain is working? Because that happens when I do my multiplication timed tests.” 10-27-14

While writing a story about 3 children catching an insect: “John was going to be the main character but it turned out that Peter is because he has the net. Whoever wields the net is the main character.” 10-28-14

Some links from October

Here are some links to articles that have given me something to think about this month.

“Fundamental to looking after someone is finding where they came from and what they need.” This service to displaced women in Iraq really touched me.

Some of the benefits of writing are shared in this article. For the first two links, I thank Catherine.

This piece describes what it’s like to be a high school student, and it’s not about peer pressure and drugs. It’s about teacher-student relationships and restricted movement.

Mark and I needed these graphics a few weeks ago to show relative sizes of objects in the solar system.

Stephanie led me to this article that turned my heart. Go ahead and give those tall boys some candy on Halloween.

If you need a smile, here are some monsters for your Halloween delight, drawn by second graders and embellished by high school students. Brilliant! This one was from Russ.

Primary Program Smiles

Today these two boys spoke in church. It was Timothy’s last Primary program. How did that happen? We really enjoyed hearing all of the children speak and sing for us, but there is something special about being able to claim a few of them as our own.

Each boy carefully wrote and memorized his part. They were confident and prepared.

Here is a small quote from each boy today:

In our pre-mortal life we had free agency. Before we were born we chose to follow the Savior.

Satan had a different plan. He wanted everyone to follow him and be forced to obey. This is a bad plan because we wouldn’t be able to choose for ourselves.

The earth was made so we could gain bodies and be tested. It’s important to make our own choices on earth because it tests our faith. If we make good choices, we can be with Heavenly Father and our families in heaven.

-Mark, age 8

Part of the plan was that the Savior would die for us. This helps us all the time, at school, at home, and everywhere. We can repent and always have a good example to follow in Jesus Christ.

Part of the plan is to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost has helped me in my life. I have learned that I can pray before tests and things I have to do at school and other places. When I do this, I am reassured that I will do well. Every time I have done this, I have passed the test. When we are sad, the Holy Ghost can comfort us. I know that the Savior understands what we are going through and helps us return to Heavenly Father.

-Timothy, age 11

Lessons I am Learning

1-1975 deer hunt 2 — My dad took this picture in 1975.

I’m still living with pain. I’m not going to share details, but I want to share what these weeks have taught me.

1. I am a hopeful person. I keep telling myself that tomorrow will be a better day, and that seems to help. Hope is powerful.

2. Pain makes me become so self-centered and it’s an awful feeling. One day this week someone called and asked me to help them with some sewing. I was so grateful for the relief from thinking about myself! Providing service is a blessing, even (and especially) for those who have troubles of their own.

3. There are people to help me. I have decided to be more proactive and seek help from a specialist, if necessary. When I showed up for some lab work, my Relief Society President was working there and helped me, and that was a tender mercy to help me to feel encouraged and understood.

4. Our lives and our bodies are a gift, no matter what we are feeling. I am grateful for shadow and light, pain and comfort, joy, and a little sorrow because every season can reveal God’s hand in my life.

Timothy’s Summer Job

Timothy earned some extra money this summer because he got a job mowing a neighbor’s lawn. He has been faithful and hard-working. I know it was a challenging thing for him to do, but he didn’t act like it was.

Timothy is a saver. He decides what he wants and takes the time to save for it. He bought a Lego set last week that he’s been working for all summer. After he built it, we decided it was terribly overpriced. I almost want to write a letter to Lego. Their profit margin is over 30% and when I think of all the hours and labor that this boy gave for that disappointing set, I am a little frustrated. Timothy is happy, but I think he has learned to be a little more cautious.