December 17-18, 2017

Dearest Spencer:

Oh, how I understand homesickness on a mission!!!  The timeline for my mission was very similar to yours.  I left for the MTC on Oct. 1, 1986, then arrived in Germany on Dec. 1.  The heart dropping Homesickness didn't kick in for me for a couple of months--maybe in February or March.  I was on my 3rd companion in less than 3 months, we were on our way home at the end of the day and I just felt this overwhelming darkness envelope me.  My companion called the elders who came and gave me a blessing--truly one of the most spiritual experiences in my life.  The young elder who gave me a blessing, excused himself prior to giving it--I'm assuming to go pray.  He then proceeded to give me a blessing literally quoting passages from my patriarchal blessing.  This was an elder whom I had never met.  He didn't know my particular struggles, but Heavenly Father did and spoke to me through him.  From that experience, I knew that I was known and loved by God and that though things were tough it would all work out; and it did.  I had my little coping mechanisms.  I would look at the stars at night and think--that is the same night sky I saw at home.  Somehow that comforted me -- (Too bad you can't do the same thing.  haha.  But how COOL that you get to see the night sky from the southern hemisphere!  Know that what you are experiencing has been experienced by countless others before you.  It is normal.  A few days prior to leaving on my mission when I was mourning leaving all that I knew, my music, friends, family etc etc, Uncle Dave told me that everything I was mourning would still be there waiting for me when I returned home, IF I still wanted it and was interested in it--and it was true.  Missions give you a perspective on what REALLY matters in life.  I promise, it will get easier!  I echo Uncle Arts sentiments that as you look for ways to serve and genuinely extend yourself in service, peace will come and love for the people you serve will grow.  Look for the good and you will find it.

I love the story of helping the little bird and how that opened the door for a conversation with someone.  Just know as you spread light and goodness through your kindnesses and actions you ARE spreading the gospel.  It will soften hearts and open doors.  You never know what will happen to seeds that you scatter.  Did Christopher share with you the story of Ms. Francy from Russia?  He gave her a Book of Mormon while we were there.  Recently she contacted him and asked if he could record a little blurb about what his experience serving in AAS Ambassadors did for him.  He responded, she thanked him and told him that she read the Book of Mormon and liked it.  She then told how her son had some addiction issues and life was not going well for him.  She gave her son the Book of Mormon, he read it (or was in the process of reading it), missionaries knocked on his door and he stared taking the discussions, did the addiction recovery program and may be getting baptized (or did--I'll have to find out the rest of the story).  See . . . a seed planted and it was passed to another person and grew.  Think happy thoughts, count your blessings, and see whose life you can bless today.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers!

So your Dad has been downstairs cleaning and arranging the "doll houses" (it looks very nice).  Anyway Rebecca came up and asked for super glue.  I inquired why and she said "Dad broke a doll house" -- so glad it was him and not me--right??!!!! :)

So, the craziness of the Christmas season has really been ramping up this past week.  I must admit I have this love hate relationship with the holidays and have yet to find that magic balance of doing the work entailed in all of the festivities and still keeping my focus on what matters most--namely thinking of Christ, his birth life death and resurrection and the hope that it brings.  we have two open houses this coming week (Belnap extended family, neighborhood, caroling with the youth, Mannheim steamroller concert on Saturday then Christmas eve on Sunday.  The hard part is that I don't think I'm finished with all of the shopping.  One year I would love for the family to give one another gifts that they have made rather than store bought.  I like the idea of getting away from the consumerism aspect of Christmas.

Saturday we had both the Belnap family Christmas party (at Grandpa and Sharon's home) and the Goff Family Christmas party (at Dave and Carlin's home).  It was good to see Brian and Karen's family as well as the extended Goff family.  The Goff family party was wonderful in that we sang some carols and everyone just hung around for quite a while and enjoyed one another's company.  I missed my mom and kept thinking of her sitting in the chair by the Christmas tree at the family party last year.  I think most people thought of her as well. Hard to believe that it has been almost a year since she has passed.  I felt her Spirit at the party and think that she must have been close by.  It's crazy, but I still think of her as the old, infirm frail mom rather than the youthful mom--I wish I could see her in a dream in the state that she is currently in.  I am so grateful for her life and for all that she gave me.  As I have gotten older my love and appreciation for my parents has grown significantly--I've begun to realize all that they did and sacrificed for me and my siblings--such good examples.  David and Christopher were able to make it up for the Goff party--Christopher was going to go to the BYU vs. UoU basketball game but instead decided to surprise us and come up to the party.  So glad he did.  Ais stayed in Lehi to study for finals.

On Thursday I went to the Nutcracker ballet in SLC with Kelly and Janae. We were supposed to meet at Siegfried's before hand for dinner but traffic was bad and Kelly and Janae were late so I ate Spaetzle, Rotkohl and Sauerkraut by myself and it was sooooo yummy!!! Brian has served as the President of the board of Ballet West for the past 2 years and was able to take us back stage--very cool.  Thoroughly enjoyed being with Kelly and Janae.  In fact, getting together with them helped me up my holiday Spirit quotient and refocus my mind and heart on things of importance.

While at the ballet, Nathan had his Christmas recital (whoops I double booked myself) so your Dad came home early and took the kids there.  Rebecca played a duet with Nate at the recital.  They had worked very hard--lots of tears and yelling under the bridge on that one--as you well know they can be the best of friends or just down right mean to each other.  As an example, yesterday (Sunday) Nathan decided that he wanted to play "City of Stars" from Lala Land. at a Primary talent show in two weeks and started learning it on his own.  He practiced for probably 4 hours yesterday (obviously super motivated).  Well at one point he took a break and Rebecca went over to the piano and started playiing it.  She, of course, is better than Nate in that she is older and has gotten pretty good at sight reading. that, of course, provoked Nathan and he kicked her pretty hard in the back while she was there at the piano.  OH MY GOODNESS!  Really??!!!!  About 30 minutes later, after NJB had apologized they were laughing and snuggling together.  It truly is hot and cold with those two and NEVER ends.  It's exhausting.

I had a nice time with Grandpa on Friday.  He dictated some things to me and we talked quite a bit. His health is pretty good.  His mind isn't as sharp as it used to be but I contribute that to the lack of more regular interaction.  He continues to inspire me by his enduring to the end.

Tuesday evening we had the YW over for personal progress and popcorn.  It was nice to be able to use the basement and have people spread out.  It really is a great convening spot.  Things went really well, we had the older girls who already had their personal progress completed help the younger girls.  Home run!

Rebecca was sick from Sunday to Wednesday--she had the flu, and is still recouperating.  She gets tired easily.  I'm hoping she gets to full strength soon!

Well dear, I guess that is about it for this week.

We love you so much Spence!  You are always in our prayers and thoughts.  I hope this past week went better for you.  You will grow to love the people of Buenos Aires and it will rip your heart out to leave when your time on your mission is fulfilled.  Work hard and serve them.

LTIABABA

Mom

ps  how's the language coming?

Rebecca and Nathan practicing Wonder Winterland

NJB RJB and Lisa Galbraith at Winter Recital

Belnap family Christmas party at Gordon and Sharon's home

Belnap family Christmas party at Gordon and Sharon's

Dad with his fresh off the presses anthology of his poetry.  Compiled and edited by Josh Brothers

Dad and Christopher.  CAB wins the ugly Christmas sweater contest!

At nutcracker with Kelly, Janae, Brian and Jess

Backstage at Nutcracker--dress that all the children come out of  hanging in background.

Kelly Janae and Lorinda--the 3 musketeers. :)

December 11, 2017

Dearest Spencer:

I am so so so so so sorry that I didn't send your letter until after you had gotten off last week.  I was heart sick once I made that realization.  I'm grateful that at least you and Christopher got to talk back and forth some!  

This past week flew by.  It seems that I was always going, but don't have much to show for.  Kept busy with RJB's swim meets and orchestra concert (the advanced orchestra sounded really good!) in  which she played first violin.  Her teacher is one who plays favorites and RJB is a favorite.

I spent far too much time looking for a new vacuum, finally bought one at Sears--now questioning the purchase--seemed to have better suction in the store.

We celebrated CABs 21st birthday yesterday.  Grandpa Goff, Grandpa Belnap and Sharon joined the rest of us and we had a lovely time.  Really enjoyed sitting around the table and talking.  There was a lot of laughter--made me very happy,  At one point your dad was talking about the Spanish language and how growing up he always thought of Spanish as "less than" and explained some of his prejudices saying that they used to tell jokes that weren't very nice and lobbed out an example--your Grandpa Belnap chuckled at the punch line and CAB and DGB laughed so hard not at the joke but at Gpa's reaction to the joke.  It was hilarious.  You will be glad to hear that your Dad ended his explanation with how much he now appreciates Spanish speaking cultures of the new world and finds them fascinating and he loves the Spanish language and is so happy that you get to learn it and talked of his hope that you will be blessed with great abilities with the language  (how is it coming?)

CJB and Ryan called last night.  The phone was passed around for over an hour.  We sure do miss them!  CJB and I talked about the very real possibility of them having our first grandchild while we are in Africa--no announcement but just an observation of reality  I tell you, the circle of life thing is amazing to observe.  It's beautiful and what a blessing to have families, right?

We had our first real snow storm and I got to shovel snow (I LOVE to do that.  There is something about the manual labor coupled with the peace quiet beauty and solitude that comes with it.  There wasn't much snow only a few inches and the forecast doesn't call for much before Christmas so we might not have snow for Christmas, which will be a first for the kids.  I remember as a kid having a few Christmases without snow and it was very disappointing.  Yesterday was largely spent running errands.  We finally got ski rentals for the kids and had very slim pickings  As a result NJBs are a tad small and RJBs a few inches too big, but beggars can't be choosers as the saying goes.

We had the ward party Friday night  There was a good turn out.  Love our ward!  Uncle Darrell came up to take care of Gpa Friday night and joined us at the ward party.  He spent the night with Gpa and ended up having car issues so spent Saturday night at our place and eventually headed home on Sunday.  It was nice having him around.

Church today was very good.  We had a discussion in Sunday School about establishing Zion. During the discussion I thought that Zion, the pure in heart, begins with us each individually.--I ask myself the question, "what is the state of my heart"?  "Do I have charity towardmy fellow humans, beginning with my family?" etc.  I experience this soaring thoughts and desires but then mess up repeatedly in the application, that is part of the reason families in my opinion are so important, it's where we really get to practice the Gospel up close and personal in the environment where we are not afraid to show our worst because deep down it is where we know we are loved the most and will still be loved despite our actions some times.  It's where we have repeated opportunities to exercise patience, turning the other cheek, diligence, meekness etc etc.  It really is the penultimate schoolhouse living the gospel.

Well Spence, I love you so much, and as always, pray for you multiple times daily.  You are always in our thoughts and we wouldn't want you to be any other place than where you are at this time in your life.  You are such a good person and have the amazing gift of being a missionary.  There may be times that it doesn't feel like such a gift, but it really is the greatest and most transformative time of your life and will affect the rest of your life in profound and meaningful ways.  I love you to infinity and beyond and back again!

LTIABABA

Mom

This week I read a talk by Elder Bednar given back in 2005, https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/david-a-bednar_quick-observe/    There is a section that I found particularly profound (below)

WHY THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF BEING QUICK TO OBSERVE IS SO VITAL TODAY Let me now address the question of why the spiritual gift of being quick to observe is so vital for us in the world in which we do now and will yet live. Simply stated, being quick to observe is an antecedent to and is linked with the spiritual gift of discernment. And for you and for me, discernment is a light of protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark. Much like faith precedes the miracle, much like baptism by water comes before the baptism by fire, much like gospel milk should be digested before gospel meat, much like clean hands can lead to a pure heart, and much like the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood are necessary before a person can receive the higher ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, so being quick to observe is a prerequisite to and a preparation for the gift of discernment. We can only hope to obtain that supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction if we are quick to observe—if we both look and obey. President George Q. Cannon, who served as a counselor to four presidents of the Church, taught powerfully about the gift of discernment: One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits—a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; yet it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. . . . Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them. In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. Possessing and exercising this gift they will not allow any evil influence to enter into their hearts or to prompt them in their thoughts, their words or their acts. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it.[Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 1:198–99] Can we recognize how crucial this spiritual gift is in our lives today and how being quick to observe is a powerful invitation for the blessings of discernment? President Stephen L Richards, who served as a counselor to President David O. McKay, has provided additional instruction about the nature and blessings of discernment: First, I mention the gift of discernment, embodying the power to discriminate . . . between right and wrong. I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them. . . . . . . Every member in the restored Church of Christ could have this gift if he willed to do so. He could not be deceived with the sophistries of the world. He could not be led astray by pseudo-prophets and subversive cults. Even the inexperienced would recognize false teachings, in a measure at least. . . . We ought to be grateful every day of our lives for this sense which keeps alive a conscience which constantly alerts us to the dangers inherent in wrongdoers and sin. [CR, April 1950, 162–63; emphasis added] As we integrate the teachings of Presidents Cannon and Richards, we learn that the gift of discernment operates basically in four major ways. First, as we “read under the surface,” discernment helps us detect hidden error and evil in others. Second, and more important, it helps us detect hidden errors and evil in ourselves. Thus the spiritual gift of discernment is not exclusively about discerning other people and situations, but, as President Cannon taught, it is also about discerning things as they really are within us. Third, it helps us find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in others. And fourth, it helps us find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in us. Oh, what a blessing and a source of protection and direction is the spiritual gift of discernment!

December 4, 2017

Dearest Spence:

How are you sweet missionary of mine?  How has your first few days out in the actual field been?  Where is your companion from?  Is he a native Spanish speaker?  Anxious to hear all about everything.  Does it feel to you like it is almost Christmas with the weather being warmer there?  

We got our first snow today.  The grass is mostly covered--can still see the tips of the blades poking through the snow--all the pavement is clear though.  So far, this winter is SLOW in starting.  The kids are anxious to go skiing but Snowbasin is not yet open.

Yesterday (Saturday) we hung lights outside, and boy did I wish you were there.  I got up on the roof to hang the dangling white lights, and thought of you doing it--you would have been proud of me.  I was amazed how slippery the roof was on those metal shingles.  Many people drove by and thought I was a bit crazy.  I just thought of my Mom in heaven looking down and saying, "Lorinda, get off of that roof!"  The height didn't bother me, but I kept thinking it would be nice to have a rubber suit to grip onto the roof a little better.  Nathan got up on the roof to be my assistant.  Poor guy wanted to hang the lights but I wouldn't let him get anywhere near the edge--maybe when we get back from Ghana.  :)

We've worked hard this weekend to get the trees decorated and all of the Christmas decorations out.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. :).  Tomorrow I'll clean up boxes and put them away.

Last time we communicated it was Thanksgiving. Did you all do anything for Thanksgiving, or is that not observed in Argentina?  As you know, one of the things that I am very Thankful for regarding Thanksgiving is that I don't cook for several days after and that was definitely true this year.  I cooked like we were feeding the entire family and that the entire family would be around to eat left overs.  We just finished the last of the pie on Friday--a week old but it still tasted good, and we've had LOTS of turkey sandwiches for lunches.

December 4, 2-Last week I spent a lot of time working on school applications for RJB and NJB and will hopefully complete them this week.

RJB had several swim meets this past week and is quite the fish.  She swims on the fastest OHS 4x100 free style girls relay team, and continues to improve with her times.  I love watching her swim.

NJB wants to participate in a story telling event sponsored by the district.  He and a friend got together on Friday after school and started a lovely story but they have hit a writers block-- I hope the finish soon.  He also auditioned for a solo in a play that he and a group of kids are writing for the school.  He got a small part and was very disappointed because he anticipated getting a big part.

NJB your Dad and I went to the Christkindlmarkt in SLC on Friday evening.  It was packed, and was sooo "gemutlich" (cozy)--it was like being in Germany.  I saw Sister Uchtdorf directing people to various bratwurst vendors.  I also ran into Sister Melanie Rasband (elder Rasbands wife)  I chatted with her for a few minutes.  She mentioned that her husband was waiting in an office and I thought of all that the 1st presidency and the 12 sacrifice in serving--not only their time talents, but also their anonymity is sacrificed.  They can't go anywhere public without being followed, watched, mobbed--it would be hard.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I did a 5K Santa fun run with Heather, Elizabeth, and Caroline Gottfredson and Andrea Callister in downtown Ogden.  There were a few hundred participants all dressed in Santa suits.  It was so much fun!!!  Back in NYC I had always wanted to do the New Years Run in Central Park but never did and regret it to this day so when Heather invited me I jumped at the chance.  Your Dad and the kids came down to cheer us on.  I was proud of us old ladies as we jogged the entire way after not having run for YEARS.  RJB, NJB, your dad and I went to the Messiah Sing Along.  I love listening to the music and vocally and ALL OVER THE PLACE, but generally hit the right notes for the Altos in the last measure of the piece, so at least finish strong. :)  David and Ais were supposed to join us but ended up having car problems so we met them at temple square afterward.

Oh, you know how I take care of Grandpa on Fridays.  The Friday, Nov 24, I was at his place.  He wanted to work independently on some things so I went upstairs to his room to clean through some more things--I call it treasure hunting--and found some great treasures--grandma's passport from when she served her mission, some old photos, and JACKPOT--a diary of Grandpa's from when he was 15.  He was very social.  I'm transcribing it and it seems like he went dancing a lot and had many a young lady he was interested in.  I've asked him about a few things and have been amazed that he has remembered and been able to share more details.

I got together for lunch this past week with a less active sister who has two daughters of YW age, but who have never come.  I wanted to get to know the Mom a bit better.  I was impressed by the challenges she has overcome in life and also so grateful to have the blessings of the Gospel in our families life.  It makes such a difference.  At the end of the day belief is a choice and once we act on that belief (aka take a step of faith) we begin to notice all the blessings God has in store for us--(think Alma 32, one of my all time favorite chapters of scripture), but it is only when we are willing to humble ourselves and take a step into the dark that the light is then revealed.

I love you so much Spencer!  I hope that things are going well for you.  Remember to love your companion and the people you serve, it will make all the difference!  You have many many many prayers uttered for you daily ascending heavenward.

LTIABABA

Mom