Top row, forth from the left.

 Oh hi kid,

I was in the stake offices this week and saw the missionary wall for the first time in about a year. Your picture is now on the top row, fourth from the left. The Calls from our ward were first, but they’ve been home for a while due to Covid. Another kid from the 8th ward was second, and is home. He’s on of those “if I can’t go back to my mission I’m not going back.” Kids. I’m not sure about the person before you. Last time I was in there, you were still down on the forth row. When I was on the high council there was 6 rows of missionaries, it’s down to 4 now, and I’m not even sure how many of those are waiting to be reassigned. 

What was I in the stake offices you may ask? Well, you’ve probably already guessed, but they released the elders quorum presidency due to president Hansen moving to Redwood City. I can gleefully report that I will not be replacing him. This may be the first time in my adult life that I haven’t had a calling, a fact which I am extremely ok with.

Speaking of a depleted missionary board, I think it will only be temporary. We have three missionaries from our ward called and ready to start service. Hayden Blattman’s farewell was today, I thought he did a great job. Rumor has it that Jacob fielding’s papers are in, it will be fun to follow all of those missionaries on their missions. Bishop Marchant said in church today that he’s grateful for all the young men and women preparing for their missions, which is a nice turn around from the last year or so.

This weeks service was cleaning and sanding grandmas deck. We got it pressure washed on Wednesday and sanded on Thursday. We were going to stain it yesterday, but a morning rain soaked it in the morning and we thought we should let it dry out, so we’ll head over after dinner tomorrow for fhe.

On the fun front, I finished my workbench made from scraps. It’s pretty ugly, but it’s solid, and light enough to move around the garage. Joe is taking woodworking in school and is finding some interest in it. He wanted to do a project yesterday so we brainstormed some projects. We decided to make a box for mom’s prizes in her class room. I had started making some cedar planters for mom earlier this summer but that project sorta lost steam. So we decided to take the pieces I made and adapt them for this chest. It was really fun working with Joe, but like your mother, he’s pretty relentless. I like woodworking as a distraction so I tend to prefer a calmer pace, but not with Joe. His favorite phrase is, “now what do we do.” Which I actually really admire. We still have to attach the legs, build the lid, apply the finish, line the bottom with felt, and buy and install the hardware. I think mom is going to have Joe supervise me on all future projects. She wants me to do some more trim work in the living room. 

Last year I bought some amazon echo buds which are pretty decent sounding. I like to listen to them when I do yard work. That has lead to a renewed enthusiasm in music listening. Not the high brow music you appreciate, but the heathen rock and roll from my generation. I want to combine my interest in woodworking and music listening and build me some old fashioned hi-fi speakers. Then I want to ask Santa for a record player and start collecting vinyl again. A hipster pursuit your probably thinking...maybe, but in my old age My memories of listening to records with my siblings and the nostalgia that brings is very appealing. We’ll see how far I get in this little indulgence.

On other updates. I still haven’t heard from the insurance regarding my leaky seals on the Jeep. I may need to take a Saturday to tear it apart and do it myself. I want to do some trips in October before the football season starts (yes, it’s looking like it will start, maybe early as Halloween, we’ll find out on Thursday). I’d also like to see what we could do after Thanksgiving, if you have any interest. So I want to have that thing in top condition.

We’re watching the second half of the original Star Wars right now, talk about nostalgia.

Well, love you kid. I hope things have opened up a little over there, hopefully the smoke has let up a little. I’m looking forward to your email, texts, and call tomorrow.

Pops