Dear Elder Raymond and Loved Ones,
I guess it's my turn to do a family letter... There's 2 weeks to cover, so hang on (you might want to print this one...so you have time to write us). I had told your siblings we could go to a movie for family night on the 5th, but I didn't realize it was the NCAA championship game. So we had an early lesson from Kimmee about the stripling warriors and faith (she did a really great job) and then watched the game, well, Dad watched the game while everyone else retreated to their quiet spaces to read their latest books! I must admit that even I watched the last part of the game though, it was such a great game with lots of drama that even kept my attention and got me yelling at the TV along with your Dad!
The following day, your Dad had off, so we drove down to Caiti's track meet and watched her zoom around the track! Bryan came with us to cheer her on! She sure loves running! She is realizing there is a huge difference between middle school athletes and high school ones though. She was dropped from the 4x4 team and replaced with a "faster" girl, but her coach has her running the 100 now in addition to the 200 and 400! She's got a lot to learn, but is doing better at each meet!
For mutual the following evening the Priests learned about insurance while I taught the girls about food and kitchen safety and how to make awesome biscuits. Personally, I think the young women had more fun AND we got to eat afterward!
The next morning (Thursday), Tosca went to the vet to have her blood rechecked and to get her shots. Her blood work is still off but she is doing well. She was NOT happy about the blood work though, she tried to bite everyone except me and the vet (she likes him, her gives her milkbones :) ). After dropping Tosca off at home from the vet, I went to the YMCA and did a spinning class (combo of biking and aerobics) for 30 minutes then decided to stretch out with a yoga class that was starting... the spinning got my heart rate up, but the yoga.... it kicked my tush! I think I was sweating more in that class than anything else I've done... go figure! Anyway, I had to laugh at myself when an hour long stretching session made me sweat! I've got a long way to go before I can even begin to keep up with your Dad! Kimmee is doing really well with her lessons. She is working on her concerto for the recital on Mother's Day; it is coming together and most of the time I can't tell if it is her or her teacher playing!
On Friday, everyone went to the orthodontist. Bryan wears his retainers (not so subtle reminder here...) and his teeth look amazing now! Caiti is upset the dr wont give her a finish date yet (what's new...) and Kimmee is in a bit of a holding pattern since she recently lost her last baby tooth and the permanent one hasn't grown in enough to bracket and finish yet. She had them put bright red bands on her lower brackets... school spirit is creeping into her life now! Caiti was invite to participate in a varsity track meet that day down in Boulder City. She finally got home at 11pm, tired, hungry, and taped up from shin splints again.
Last Sunday was a CRAZY day, wonderful but very busy! It was fast Sunday. I already wrote you about it, so some of this is old info to you, but not the rest of the fam... Caiti and Dad bore their testimonies in Sacrament Meeting. Your dad talked about how families are blessed when their children serve missions (we certainly feel abundantly blessed on a daily basis) and about how he is reading about Helaman in the Book of Mormon and feels like Helaman's times are so similar to our own and how we need to use the power of repentance. I love your Dad! In Sunday School we learned how to teach using different methods. I think asking questions is the hardest for me because people just sit and look at me. It's really hard to get them to open up and give heartfelt answers. I learned a few "tricks" though, like giving them time to reflect about the question and not expecting a quick response and rephrasing the question if no one offers input. It was a good class and really made me think about the different ways to teach others and help them apply what you are teaching. I like your suggestion of reading Preach My Gospel for more teaching help. There is wonderful advice given! The bishopric scheduled a last minute meeting right after church for all the youth leaders. I had given a family a ride to church, so I hurriedly drove them home and raced back to the meeting, walking in about 20 minutes late. No sooner had I sat down when I noticed there were several messages and texts on my phone. Normally, I ignore them when I'm in a meeting, but something told me I had better look at them this time. They were all from your Dad and Bryan. The latest text was Bryan saying "my patriarchal blessing has been rescheduled from 4:30 to 2:30, where are you?" It was 2:29. I had been in my youth meeting a total of 5 minutes, no explanations for showing up so late, and now I just stood up and walked out. The "mom hat" always trumps them all... After exchanging a couple texts and a phone call, I met the rest of the family on the Patriarch's front door step (a little frazzled and frustrated that my schedule was messed up, so I was praying hard that the spirit would calm me and help me share in this amazing experience. I love the power of prayer!) Bryan received his patriarchal blessing . It was a great experience. I'll let him tell you about it. I was really excited for him yet apprehensive at the same time... it amazes me how a patriarch can listen to the spirit so closely even when he doesn't really know the person receiving the blessing! He talked about the many gifts Bryan has been blessed with, it was great! After the blessing, the patriarch looked at dad and I and said, "you have an amazing son here, amazing!" Dad said, "yes we do! Actually, we have two amazing sons... and two amazing daughters, we are very blessed!" Did I mention how much I love your Dad???!!!
Last Monday, Dad was in charge of Family Home Evening. We played a game of Life with altered rules... in order to move, we had to give the reference to a scripture mastery scripture, Caiti skunked us all!
On Tuesday, I'm not actually sure what went on. I had a muscle in my back that sent me straight to bed, almost in tears, I drugged myself and read for most of the day.
Wednesday, Caiti had another track meet here at the high school. My back was still hurting, but I was able to get all the laundry done and made it to her meet in time to see her 1st race, the 100, she took 1st in her heat! She did really well! Dad showed up to see her last 2 races. She had a good meet but still not fast enough to qualify for regional's. She has 2 meets left she can qualify in. She's working really hard!
Dad took Friday off, so he helped me clean the office and get it ready for your Uncle Bruce to stay in. I must have thrown away 3 big trash bags of old papers and "junk". I love a clean office! Even the closet is cleaned out and we are starting to build some food storage in it! Yay! Friday night Bryan and Dad organized an impromptu BBQ at the club house for all the priests and their families. Bryan had gone out with the young men's president the night before to visit the inactive boys, some new priests, and a couple boys the missionaries are teaching. He extended a personal invitation to each one of the boys. Two of them actually showed up with their families! There was a pretty good turn out and everyone seemed to have fun. Kimmee said (with a sly grin on her face) "everything is more fun when cute boys are involved!" I think she was trying to get a reaction out of Bryan... it was successful ;)! Uncle Bruce finally arrived at the house a little after 11pm. Someone had taken his bag by mistake and he had to hang around for them to bring it back and exchange theirs for his. We didn't get to spend too much time with him that evening since he and Dad were getting up and leaving at 5:30am to go watch Leslie in a triathlon. I stayed home so I could take all your sibs to a LV Mormon Youth Orchestra and Choir rehearsal. They are doing a fireside next Sunday! Two of the songs are "Come Thou Font" and "Praise To The Man". The string section sounds heavenly (although I find myself being a little too critical of the 2 bass players they have....).
Last night, we had BBQ for dinner with purple mashed potatoes, yep... they were purple and delicious! Then we played the traditional round of up and down the river, which Uncle Bruce beat us all in! Fun times!
Today was Stake Conference. We were assigned to the 1:00 session, but went to the 9:00 session instead so Bruce could go with us before he had to leave. Bryan, Caiti and Kimmee all sang in the stake youth choir. They did a beautiful job! They brought such a sweet spirit to the meeting as they sang the prelude music. Bryan impressed us; he sang out and we could hear his clear tenor voice carrying the young men next to him. Dad and I love to see our children discover and use the talents they have been blessed with. It makes our love for you guys grow 10 fold each time!!! Lots of topics were covered; the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, Blessings that come from making and keeping covenants with the Lord, Tithing, Faith, Sacrifice, and avoiding missed opportunities. Then the Stake President got up and explained the various programs available in the stake. When he talked about Smart Night, it reminded Dad and I of finding your tutor ID from this past fall and how we chuckled when we read it...
Alec Raymond
TUTOR
Everything BUT Spanish
You should've know you'd be called to a Spanish speaking mission! Haha! :)
After Pres. Waite finished with the programs, he began by saying, "in no way is this a prophecy" then went on to tell how he feels extremely impressed to focus on emergency preparedness and doing our calling to the very best of our abilities and sustaining others in their callings. Then he said, "If you don't have your 72 hour kits by the end of June, consider yourselves warned". Then he went back to talking about callings and how the Lord will sustain us when we do what he asks of us and quoted the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 82:10, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." It was a good conference and... I will be working on updating our 72 hour kits next week.
Well, I guess I have finished, which is a good thing since it is 10:55 and my face seems to be getting closer and closer to the keyboard. We love you very much. Thank you for your dedication in sharing the gospel, that has brought you strength, peace, and true happiness, with strangers in a language you are just beginning to grasp. It is wonderful to see how Heavenly Father blesses and protects you. You are always in our prayers.
Eternally,
Mom
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April fool's, Easter, and War
4 April 2010
Dear Elder Raymond and loved ones,
Easter Sunday! What a beautiful sunrise this morning. The sky was clear and the sun low over Sunrise Mountain . I love being back in the west among the mountains. For some reason I thought of another Easter Sunday, years ago. I was flying east over the Atlantic ; 25,000 feet and 450 miles per hour. We were going to war. I had an F-117 stealth fighter off each of my wings. A mile in front of us was another KC-135 tanker with a pair of F-117s off his wings. Behind me, was another tanker with her “chicks.” We had just coasted out from a very dark and stormy mainland and were headed first to England and thence to the brewing conflict in Kosovo. The air was cool and calm; the sun just cresting the horizon in front of us. Contrails streamed behind the planes ahead leaving feathery trails in the sky. I knew we were all leaving contrails behind and wished I could have witnessed the scene from the surface. Even though we were going off to war, it was a very spiritual moment for me. The beauty was surreal. My thoughts turned to the Lord and my gratefulness for the beauty of the Earth.
This morning was very similar. I was going to war again. I was driving instead of flying, but going to war just the same. I use the commute to meditate, ponder and learn. Usually, I listen to the scriptures, but today I felt inclined to listen to music instead. Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy and other sacred songs filled my heart with love and gratitude for the Savior, the atonement, and His resurrection.
I’ve spent countless holidays away from the family; missed birthdays and other important events. Today was yet another. Off to war instead of spending Easter with my family and listening to the Prophet of the Lord and the other Apostles testify of Christ during General Conference. Even though I missed out on Conference, the Lord was merciful and shared an extra portion of His spirit with me on the drive. I felt the blessings of having wonderful children that love the Lord and seek to choose the right, even though I dragged you all over the country as I moved from assignment to assignment and then left you at home as I went on trip after trip.
Last Sunday was also a great day. I had to work and was going to miss church . Circumstances turned out that I was able to leave early. I left work and thought if I drove directly to the church I might catch the sacrament. I didn’t quite make it in time for the sacrament, but slid into the pew next to Mom. She was surprised to see me and I’m sure I caused quite the stir as I sat there in my flight suit with patches of the Grim Reaper on my shoulder and my call sign “Ogre” on my chest. I regarded them not. Bryan had been asked right before church to share his thoughts on the importance of General Conference. So I made it in time to hear his feelings. I sure love him! He will make a great missionary!
I also got to hear Kimmee play “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” on the violin. She was accompanied by the bishop’s wife, Sis. Piet. Naturally, she did wonderfully. After Sacrament Meeting, I slipped out, ran to the house, changed into my suit, and returned to attend Sunday School.
Monday night was Caiti’s turn to teach the FHE lesson. She did a fine job. Mom made us a new fancy-schmancy FHE chart.
Monday was also Spring Break for your giblets (“siblings” for those of you not familiar with Raymond vernacular). Tuesday and Wednesday were my days off this week. I had promised Bryan I would take him back out to Red Rock canyon and do some more hiking. So Tuesday we went for a hike. As we went through the entrance I left my military ID “hang” out of my wallet. It had the desired effect, “Are you active duty military?” “Why yes I am” I replied hopefully. We got in free. Again. Woo Hoo! It was super windy. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for wind gusts up to 60 mph! My hat kept blowing off my head. I finally attached it to my belt loop. We took plenty of water this time and hiked back up to Calico Basin . The basin had water in it! And lots of it. I tried to talk Bryan into going for a dip. I couldn’t sway him. I considered throwing him in, but it was a little too chilly.
We packed a lunch and were going to eat it in the picnic area below where we went repelling several months ago, but it was too windy. We ate in Dora the Explorer as we watched all the tourists drive and walk by. The difference between the locals and the tourists was easily discernable. The sun dresses and open-toed sandals weren’t very conducive for scrambling up sandstone.
Tuesday evening I spoke in Stake Priesthood Leadership Training. As I mentioned last week, I had been preparing my talk for a couple of weeks and hadn’t quite arrived at the finished product. As the meeting progressed, I quickly understood why I hadn’t finished. I had missed the mark the Lord wanted me to convey. I jotted down a few notes and spoke from the cuff instead of delivering my prepared remarks. Pres. Winterton introduced the theme. Essentially, it was a “rescue” theme. He spoke about a painting of a family looking forlorn yet hopeful as a skiff launched into a stormy sea to rescue a lost sailor. A quartet sang “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy” a cappella. It got stuck in my head. I found myself humming it all week and thinking over the words “Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.” With that background, I formulated my talk. Essentially it went like this:
In October 1856, my great-great-great grandmother struggled along with the Martin Handcart Company. She suffered all the travails of that grueling trip. She must have sat and cried as she approached that fateful crossing of the Sweetwater. Distraught. Frozen feet. Dying younger brother. And still so far to travel. President Young, hearing of their trials, sent rescuers out from General Conference. “Go and bring them in from the plains!” I can only imagine her feelings when she saw the rescuers. They carried her to Zion !
Two years ago, hurricane Ike travelled farther inland than anticipated and caused flooding as far inland as our home in Illinois . It was Sunday morning and there we stood, knee deep in water in our basement as the flood waters continued to rise. Darlene made a quick to the Relief Society president, letting her know what happened and letting her know she wouldn’t be at church that day and would be unable to teach the lesson in Relief Society. We frantically tried to carry our goods to higher ground even as the water rushed in. Our good bishop sent rescuers from to ward. My heart was full and I immediately thought of Grandma Robinson as I looked up and saw rescuers from the ward streaming down the stairs and into the water. They didn’t knock. They didn’t ask. They just came. They carried more than our belongings to safety that day. They carried my soul to safety!
Then I relayed a couple of stories about ministering to the one. I shared how blessed and privileged we were and are still to be friends with such wonderful people as the Bridenthals and Ken and see them sealed in the temple. I’m not sure if anyone else got anything out of it, but I did. Throughout my life, I have had the blessing of being uplifted by others and also of helping to lift others.
Wednesday, Mom and the rest of the family packed up and drove to Utah to see the Bowermans. They were visiting Joe and Katie. Darlene thought it was a great opportunity to see them also. Somehow it was appropriate to see them on General Conference weekend. It brought back memories of sitting in their living room watching conference together. Good friends! They drove up on Wednesday and back on Friday. It was a whirlwind trip, but very worthwhile.
I had to work and therefore stayed home. Thursday night, we held our weekly missionary coordination meeting.
Since mom and the family was away for April Fool’s day, I survived without being the victim of a short-sheeted bed, or blue milk, or getting sprayed by the kitchen sprayer, etc. Bryan and Caiti tried to get me anyway. Bryan sent me a text that read, “I lost my phone.” My initial reaction was, “AAARRRGGHH!” Then a half a second later, I realized he sent the message from his phone. I sent “good one” back to him. Caiti said she met some really cute guys from Grandma’s ward and she was going to stay up late with them. I texted back that the only men in Grandma’s ward were over 80 years old!
Saturday was General Conference. I had to work and missed everything except the Priesthood session. Your mom reminded me this was the second to last Priesthood session I would get to attend with any of my boys before their missions. Wow. I enjoyed the session, but confess I had trouble paying attention. I was tired from being at work all day. I particularly enjoyed Pres Monson’s story of the missionary who didn’t receive any letters from home and whose parents didn’t support him on his mission. Pres Monson promised him if he would write home faithfully and share his testimony with them that his parents would write him back. Several months later he ran into the missionary again. His parents were positively influenced by his letters and testimony. They started writing him. His father went back to church and his mother was preparing to be baptized.
We too are blessed because of your service to the Lord. Keep the faith. Be good and work hard. It’s all true and it’s all worth the effort!
Love,
Dad.
Dear Elder Raymond and loved ones,
Easter Sunday! What a beautiful sunrise this morning. The sky was clear and the sun low over Sunrise Mountain . I love being back in the west among the mountains. For some reason I thought of another Easter Sunday, years ago. I was flying east over the Atlantic ; 25,000 feet and 450 miles per hour. We were going to war. I had an F-117 stealth fighter off each of my wings. A mile in front of us was another KC-135 tanker with a pair of F-117s off his wings. Behind me, was another tanker with her “chicks.” We had just coasted out from a very dark and stormy mainland and were headed first to England and thence to the brewing conflict in Kosovo. The air was cool and calm; the sun just cresting the horizon in front of us. Contrails streamed behind the planes ahead leaving feathery trails in the sky. I knew we were all leaving contrails behind and wished I could have witnessed the scene from the surface. Even though we were going off to war, it was a very spiritual moment for me. The beauty was surreal. My thoughts turned to the Lord and my gratefulness for the beauty of the Earth.
This morning was very similar. I was going to war again. I was driving instead of flying, but going to war just the same. I use the commute to meditate, ponder and learn. Usually, I listen to the scriptures, but today I felt inclined to listen to music instead. Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy and other sacred songs filled my heart with love and gratitude for the Savior, the atonement, and His resurrection.
I’ve spent countless holidays away from the family; missed birthdays and other important events. Today was yet another. Off to war instead of spending Easter with my family and listening to the Prophet of the Lord and the other Apostles testify of Christ during General Conference. Even though I missed out on Conference, the Lord was merciful and shared an extra portion of His spirit with me on the drive. I felt the blessings of having wonderful children that love the Lord and seek to choose the right, even though I dragged you all over the country as I moved from assignment to assignment and then left you at home as I went on trip after trip.
Last Sunday was also a great day. I had to work and was going to miss church . Circumstances turned out that I was able to leave early. I left work and thought if I drove directly to the church I might catch the sacrament. I didn’t quite make it in time for the sacrament, but slid into the pew next to Mom. She was surprised to see me and I’m sure I caused quite the stir as I sat there in my flight suit with patches of the Grim Reaper on my shoulder and my call sign “Ogre” on my chest. I regarded them not. Bryan had been asked right before church to share his thoughts on the importance of General Conference. So I made it in time to hear his feelings. I sure love him! He will make a great missionary!
I also got to hear Kimmee play “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” on the violin. She was accompanied by the bishop’s wife, Sis. Piet. Naturally, she did wonderfully. After Sacrament Meeting, I slipped out, ran to the house, changed into my suit, and returned to attend Sunday School.
Monday night was Caiti’s turn to teach the FHE lesson. She did a fine job. Mom made us a new fancy-schmancy FHE chart.
Monday was also Spring Break for your giblets (“siblings” for those of you not familiar with Raymond vernacular). Tuesday and Wednesday were my days off this week. I had promised Bryan I would take him back out to Red Rock canyon and do some more hiking. So Tuesday we went for a hike. As we went through the entrance I left my military ID “hang” out of my wallet. It had the desired effect, “Are you active duty military?” “Why yes I am” I replied hopefully. We got in free. Again. Woo Hoo! It was super windy. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for wind gusts up to 60 mph! My hat kept blowing off my head. I finally attached it to my belt loop. We took plenty of water this time and hiked back up to Calico Basin . The basin had water in it! And lots of it. I tried to talk Bryan into going for a dip. I couldn’t sway him. I considered throwing him in, but it was a little too chilly.
We packed a lunch and were going to eat it in the picnic area below where we went repelling several months ago, but it was too windy. We ate in Dora the Explorer as we watched all the tourists drive and walk by. The difference between the locals and the tourists was easily discernable. The sun dresses and open-toed sandals weren’t very conducive for scrambling up sandstone.
Tuesday evening I spoke in Stake Priesthood Leadership Training. As I mentioned last week, I had been preparing my talk for a couple of weeks and hadn’t quite arrived at the finished product. As the meeting progressed, I quickly understood why I hadn’t finished. I had missed the mark the Lord wanted me to convey. I jotted down a few notes and spoke from the cuff instead of delivering my prepared remarks. Pres. Winterton introduced the theme. Essentially, it was a “rescue” theme. He spoke about a painting of a family looking forlorn yet hopeful as a skiff launched into a stormy sea to rescue a lost sailor. A quartet sang “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy” a cappella. It got stuck in my head. I found myself humming it all week and thinking over the words “Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.” With that background, I formulated my talk. Essentially it went like this:
In October 1856, my great-great-great grandmother struggled along with the Martin Handcart Company. She suffered all the travails of that grueling trip. She must have sat and cried as she approached that fateful crossing of the Sweetwater. Distraught. Frozen feet. Dying younger brother. And still so far to travel. President Young, hearing of their trials, sent rescuers out from General Conference. “Go and bring them in from the plains!” I can only imagine her feelings when she saw the rescuers. They carried her to Zion !
Two years ago, hurricane Ike travelled farther inland than anticipated and caused flooding as far inland as our home in Illinois . It was Sunday morning and there we stood, knee deep in water in our basement as the flood waters continued to rise. Darlene made a quick to the Relief Society president, letting her know what happened and letting her know she wouldn’t be at church that day and would be unable to teach the lesson in Relief Society. We frantically tried to carry our goods to higher ground even as the water rushed in. Our good bishop sent rescuers from to ward. My heart was full and I immediately thought of Grandma Robinson as I looked up and saw rescuers from the ward streaming down the stairs and into the water. They didn’t knock. They didn’t ask. They just came. They carried more than our belongings to safety that day. They carried my soul to safety!
Then I relayed a couple of stories about ministering to the one. I shared how blessed and privileged we were and are still to be friends with such wonderful people as the Bridenthals and Ken and see them sealed in the temple. I’m not sure if anyone else got anything out of it, but I did. Throughout my life, I have had the blessing of being uplifted by others and also of helping to lift others.
Wednesday, Mom and the rest of the family packed up and drove to Utah to see the Bowermans. They were visiting Joe and Katie. Darlene thought it was a great opportunity to see them also. Somehow it was appropriate to see them on General Conference weekend. It brought back memories of sitting in their living room watching conference together. Good friends! They drove up on Wednesday and back on Friday. It was a whirlwind trip, but very worthwhile.
I had to work and therefore stayed home. Thursday night, we held our weekly missionary coordination meeting.
Since mom and the family was away for April Fool’s day, I survived without being the victim of a short-sheeted bed, or blue milk, or getting sprayed by the kitchen sprayer, etc. Bryan and Caiti tried to get me anyway. Bryan sent me a text that read, “I lost my phone.” My initial reaction was, “AAARRRGGHH!” Then a half a second later, I realized he sent the message from his phone. I sent “good one” back to him. Caiti said she met some really cute guys from Grandma’s ward and she was going to stay up late with them. I texted back that the only men in Grandma’s ward were over 80 years old!
Saturday was General Conference. I had to work and missed everything except the Priesthood session. Your mom reminded me this was the second to last Priesthood session I would get to attend with any of my boys before their missions. Wow. I enjoyed the session, but confess I had trouble paying attention. I was tired from being at work all day. I particularly enjoyed Pres Monson’s story of the missionary who didn’t receive any letters from home and whose parents didn’t support him on his mission. Pres Monson promised him if he would write home faithfully and share his testimony with them that his parents would write him back. Several months later he ran into the missionary again. His parents were positively influenced by his letters and testimony. They started writing him. His father went back to church and his mother was preparing to be baptized.
We too are blessed because of your service to the Lord. Keep the faith. Be good and work hard. It’s all true and it’s all worth the effort!
Love,
Dad.
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