Tuesday, April 28, 2009

From Mom: April 27, 2009

Dear Elder Hoopes,

We got the most awesome letter from President Bassett last week. He said that you were "an example of faith, diligence, obedience" and you had great ability to teach the gospel and are a fine missionary. God bless you as a trainer! You will be a wonderful friend and teacher. We will be praying for both of you and the people you are able to teach. I was thinking about Landon Frost, and how much he admires and has learned from his companions. They have always been so careful to help and encourage Landon, and that has made all the difference. I also remember that Jon told about his companions, and the ones that he really came to love were also where they were able to have the most success in teaching and baptizing. Jon told me that when companions are united and kind to each other, the Spirit was there and then the Lord could work through them. I guess that is also a life lesson that can help you in your work, church callings and most importantly, at home.

Sorry I didn't get to write last week, but I was in Vancouver helping Mom and Bob move apartments. It was pretty stressful for them because they were moving to an apartment half the size, so they had to sort through and give away a lot of stuff. But I think they will enjoy it because it is on the 16th floor and has an awesome view. It was cool because on Thursday the Relief Society President called the missionaries to come over and help move out 4 big pieces of furniture that they were giving away. One Elder was from Las Vegas, and the other was from Orange Co, CA. They were so sweet and helpful. I flew home and Dad picked me up Saturday night. But when Dad didn't get back on the freeway, I asked him why and he said he needed to go to an all-night pharmacy to pick up a prescription for Rachel because she has Pneumonia! She missed most of last week of school because she had a respiratory flu and now she will have to miss a couple more days. Poor thing. She also missed the dance festival on Saturday.

I'm looking forward to talking to you on Mother's Day! Our church is from 11-2 but Dad probably won't be home until 4 DST. I think that you are 1 hour ahead of us.

So this morning seminary was about pies and I brought 3 Marie Calendar pies to seminary. We talked about what makes a pie good and decided that among other things, it needs to have a flaky crust. But although we like flaky crusts, we don't like to have to depend on flaky people. So the lesson was really on how not to be flaky, how to be as committed as was Paul and the Savior, and how to increase our faith and our faithfulness. President Howard W. Hunter said: A successful life, the good life, the righteous Christian life requires something more than a contribution, though every contribution is valuable. Ultimately it requires commitment-whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. ["Standing As Witnesses of God," Ensign, May
1990, p. 62]

I think the kids liked the pies, at least. Hopefully they got the point.

I hope you have a great week in your new area. We are all praying for you,

Love, Mom

No comments: