Weekly Letter from Home: 9-11, 2006

Hi kids.

Seems everyone is reflecting on this 9-11 anniversary. Me too I guess. Five years ago I was just finishing an hour business morning show I once did at the Clear Channel Station when the images of a burning tower came onto the network TV screens. We were all riveted and not really sure what had happened. Later it turned into acts of terrorism. It was disturbing, but not really faith shaking for me because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which keeps us hopeful in the wake of trial and discouragement.

Lord knows that's what's been keeping me going the past few weeks while Mom recovers.

MOM UPDATE: She's much better today. Friday, I met with her doctor for a minute and he was inclined to let her come home today. She was very calm and rested over the weekend when I visited with her. I've tried to be calm and rested too, but I know all this is getting to me deep down somewhere because I'm having trouble getting myself motivated lately. I'll work on that though. We've been getting a lot of support and help the past few weeks from my Mom and Dad in SLC to my sisters and of course to all you kids too. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, concerns and financial help.

MIKE UPDATE: Got a letter this morning from Elder Young. He couldn't write last week because of the Labor Day holiday and everything was closed. But here's his latest post:

"Dead Dad,
I'm glad to hear that Mom is getting better. You were right about last weak, everything was closed here. The laundry place was closed any food places where closed, the library, the only thing open was Walmart.
There isn't much to report this last couple of weeks, pretty much the same thing everyday. We visit different investigators and less active members throughout the week, so our schedule is usually pretty full. We haven't been doing much tracting, because of all the investigators that we have. And most of the time, those investigators will refer us to family and friends. So, not much tracting, but there is some.
We had a baptism over this last weekend. It was exciting, but not as exciting as I thought it would be. It was 2 boys, 16 and 14, who finally decided to get baptised. Their dad is an inactive member, and we've been working with them the entire time I've been here. We invited them to a branch activity, and that sparked an interest in all of them, so now they've been pretty active. But it's not so exciting because they were investigators before I got here, and as it turns out, we're aren't able to baptise anyone. My mission president says, because missionaries get moved around, and then go home, converts won't be able to see the person that baptized them. I agree with him, but that means that I didn't need to bring any of my white cloths, and I'll have to wait until after my mission to be able to baptize anyone.
Things are going realy great so far, we had a multi-zone conference on Thursday. President Bramwell, spoke to us, and then we had lunch. We then wen't to a park and got to play sports for like 4 hours. We played football, and kickball, and volleyball. It was a realy fun day, we all got sun burnt, and laughed about how pale and white we all were, and I was really sore the next day.
Well, I can't think of anything else that's been going on, so let everyone know that I love and miss them. And I'm very proud of how well you've been handleing this situation with Mom. I pray for you both every night. I love you and I miss you. And I urge you to stay strong in your faith, and to continue with your duties as a father and in the bishopric. I know that Heavenly Father loves you, and if you feel like you're having trouble getting through a certain trial, read D&C 121: 7-10

I love you, Dad
Elder Young"

If any of you can write to Mikey I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing from you.
That's the latest from the homefront. Hope all is well where ever you are.
Love Dad.