I like the worse “geode”, it fun to say

Oh hi kid,

I got a text from Brother Olsen today, he’s our ward family history and temple leader. In his note he said he thought you were home doing a great job indexing and invited the rest of us slackers to do the same. Thanks for making us look bad elder rivera.

Jacob Carver is home, but not released. It seems awkward because he’s in quarantine and not released, he can’t even play basketball poor guy. Joe and I were on a meeting and we saw him in the background, he looked the same from that perspective. 

Today we had church at home again. We’ve been doing pretty well with it. Joey prepped the sacrament, I blessed it, I gave the talk, jacob gave the come follow me lesson. If we end up doing this for a while, I feel the need to add a few formalities and planning. It’s a tough balance because Jake likes to call us out for being too righteous about it...I think we have a way to go before we’re at the too righteous stage. I do feel like we’ll miss doing it when we get back to going to church.

Today as mom and I went for our walks we saw some of the folks from the ward and neighbors. People are a little concerned over this pandemic. It’s like the seriousness is just sinking in. I don’t sense anything irrational, just more concern than usual. Your well being is asked about universally, even by our non member neighbors. This challenging time is also bringing out a lot of neighborly kindness. I think that’s a huge blessing.

Today Joey and i took our rcs out again. Neither of us made it a full pack before breaking. We just went over to the field. We were racing when mine hit something hard, made the whole car flip. When I got over there there was a cantaloupe sized rock in the middle of the field for some reason an the front lower a-arm broke. I’m glad someone playing football didn’t land on that rock, but I am getting a bit frustrated with that car. Joe’s, as per usual, was awesome until he hit the foundation of the pavilion at full speed. Looks like just his shock cap popped off. Those traxxas cars are pretty well built.

This week ended up being a little rough at work. I had hired a guy I worked with at Neways as a temp designer. He had been with us for two weeks and already made a big impact. We got a memo from the highest echelons that we had to cut all temps and contractors, I felt sick. I was told not to tell him because he officially worked for the temp agency. I felt sick to my stomach, but I knew I had to tell him. He took it with a lot of strength and character, like a man in the old fashioned way. I’ve been praying for his family. We’re also cutting budgets and freezing hires. I had one more position I was about to fill. I think the company is just being conservative, and I’m not too worried about my own job, but the thought does creep in. It made it fairly easy to have a sincere fast today as we were asked by President Neilson. It really is a comfort to have the word of a prophet to follow.

Today as we were eating our roast beef, mashed potatoes, salad and rolls, it was difficult to consider ourselves anything but blessed. Just like the thought of you being able to continue you’re service, whether it be for weeks or months. I read where half of all the missionaries have been sent home, with many to be reassigned. What a giant task that will be. It’s a little scary to think of this world without missionaries bringing blessings where there otherwise may be few. This is sure an interesting time.

Yesterday we went out to the Pony Express Trail. Uncle Aaron wanted to go out to the geode beds. All the way out there I had memories of our past trips, camping and exploring. I missed you a bit as I thought of that. The road was pretty smooth as it seemed to have been recently graded. I was my first test of the Jeep since replacing he radiator since we canceled our Death Valley trip (we would just be getting home). It ran very well. On the way home uncle Aaron wanted to explore a side road. I made the mistake of letting him lead. Remember the time on the White rim going up that steep hill and he started to side track? Well, he almost did the same thing this time. He made it, but this time aunt Patti was following, her cars not quite as capable as the Rubicon’s and she started to side slip, the road was steep a super loose. The more she gunned it the more she would sink and go sideways. I was in the Jeep behind her an as she went sideways I said stop! Not really to her but mom commented that she stopped right when I said that. I later mentioned that in a text to your aunt Patti and she said she heard me even though Artie was egging her to go on. I’m not sure how she heard me or if she heard me, or if she heard the Spirit or her own instincts. I’m really just glad she heard at and listened or it could have been worse. She was on the side of the trail, with the shoulder giving way. So I ran up there and piled rocks under her tires to try to keep her steady. That and her ability to take direction and keep cool was able to get her backed down with no problems. It will make for some good stories.

Well, we found out tonight that they’re closing the parks and now the hair salons. I’ve not shaved since I started working at home and I was due for a haircut two weeks ago. Soon I’ll be disheveled enough to be in a church film.

Well, that’s probably enough from me for now. I love you kid. I hope to hear about your new area an companions tomorrow.

Pops