A thrown spoon and a wee accident on the couch

Oh hi Benjer!

You sure have been on my mind this week with your transfer and new responsibilities and all. I imagine it’s an exciting time for you. You’ve never been one to feel stress too much, you always seem able to succeed even in situations not of your preference (pharmacy). But I imagine this is different, I imagine these changes are as gratifying as they may be challenging. 

As I go through life and life brings us changes I sometimes think about the transfers on my mission. Sometimes I was happy and comfortable before transfer and wanted everything to stay put. Sometimes the change was immediately good, sometimes it never was and you just had to make the best of it. But they were always memorable, and I always survived them, and more often than not, they were enjoyable.

So, the litany of standard dad questions asked at transfer. What’s your comps name, first and last. Where is he from, whose taller, BYU fan? How big is your area? How far are you from the mission home? Are you finding your way around okay? How big is the branch? Do you know any of the members from your teaching experiences? How has your routine changed? How’s driving? I could go on you know.

We just finished our Come Follow Me lesson this morning, Jake led today. I need to finish getting dressed and go to Bishopric meeting now. We’re having grandmas birthday celebration this afternoon at our house, I’ll give you a full report tonight 

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So it’s night now, we had everyone over. Mom made amazing broccoli chicken pasta, but with everything separated for our cousins. I was late because of my churchy duties. Apparently at some point before I got home, mom threw a spoon, and someone had an accident on the couch. I’ll sure bet you miss us now.

Many of our ward members ask about you, when I tell them you were transferred to Oakland, their eyes grow wide and they say, “wow, that’s a rough place!” I know you’re area is more broad than just Oakland, and I figure there are communities of Chinese all over. I also know that in the so called rough areas, there are people who need and will be receptive to your message. Your message will bring peace to them. Of course, as you expect, here’s my over protective dad lecture: be safe, listen to the Spirit, pray for guidance and protection, remember, you mean the world to us, and we pray for you always.

I wonder what if anything will happen on the job front this week. Somehow I’ve gone from thinking this job is in the bag to thinking the worst. I know it’s irrational, I know I too often believe my doubts rather than my faith. Mom and I fasted today, and since Bishop was in a meeting, I asked Brother Snarr for a blessing. I think I took him by surprise and made him uncomfortable. But I really respect him, he’s a good person, and it did me good. 

On to the trivial, this has been an epic week in the nba off season with trades. I’m sure Jacob will fill you in tomorrow. Mom has discovered the cheesy lds film section on Amazon prime and we’ve made your brothers endure two so far, one about gangsters and missionaries, and one called the Passage to Zarahemla. They were both so epically bad that they make Shadarow look decent. You would hate them, but they do have a certain charm.

It’s really hot here, I’ve been spending too much time inside. I have been productive. The basement is all painted with the exception of the U logo. I told your mom how I was going to it, she got that panicked look in her eye. When I finish I’ll send you a panoramic photo.

Aunt Patti and I share talks, here’s the last one she sent “With God Nothing Is Impossible “ by Russel M Neilson from April 1988. It was powerful, and it’s helped me to give a little more perspective on what I ask for as I pray. The talk also seemed current to me, not all talks from that time do. I had been home from my mission just under a year, it was 7 months prior to my brothers accident. What a different time that was for me.

Well Ben, I sure look forward to chatting with you tomorrow. Love you kid...so much.

Pops