Last one from me

 Oh wow kid,

So, this is the last letter you’ll have to endure from me, during your mission anyway. Seems like a lot has happened in the last two years, but I imagine it will all seem the same to you. I think that will probably be a good thing.

We’ve been working on the house a bit, your room’s ready, your brothers washed the windows (I still need to do upstairs inside). Mom wants to make a good impression for your return.

Your brothers are pretty excited for you to come home. I think maybe a little bit nervous. They’re afraid you’ll be a lot different, Jake may be a little scared because it’s his turn next. He’ll need your help with that, I have pretty low credibility with him on some things. With you coming home, his turn is getting all too close. Between you and I, he’s starting to push against church and stuff. I don’t think it’s a rejection of faith, I think it’s his expression of fear. It’s scary to grow up.

I also think the Covid restrictions have been hard on them. I’m sure you can relate. Jordan has Covid so they can’t see him, there doing school at home again, the family Turkey bowl is off, everything is different. Plus, the Utes got killed last night, and their game with Arizona state has been postponed till Sunday. He’s afraid he’ll miss it. It’s a tough time for Jacob.

We went to lunch with grandma and grandpa yesterday. Grandma was annoyed at mom for her not preparing for your return enough. Be ready for mom to overly dote on you, at least till she’s back in school on Monday. Let her take you shopping for clothes etc. just let her take care of you, it will be easier for all of us. 

We’ve been doing a little work on the house, mostly on the kitchen. Be prepared for a tiny mess in there when you get home. I’m replacing the back of the island. The original was built pretty poorly and has been falling apart since we moved in. Then it took bit of a kick when one of you brothers lost his temper. The old ones were glorified cardboard, barely 1/8” of an inch thick. The new ones are 3/4” thick mdf, nailed and glued to the cabinets. Next one to kick it will more likely stub a toe than break anything. We’re also going to replace the dishwasher, which has a broken basket and doesn’t clean well anymore, the stove is also getting replaced, due to bad burners and controls. And while the fridge is working fine, we’ll probably put that in the laundry room and get a new one. Moms also going to have the cabinets painted, I’ll do a backsplash and mom wants me to build a breakfast counter too. Wonder how long all this will take. 

Speaking of projects, I got my second speaker assembled. I forgot to put the damping batting in, but I can still stuff it in the port and speaker holes. I got it sanded evenly, I need to router the corners, then prep for paint.

I finally got all 4 tires on the little Jeep. I had to get a wheel from the junkyard. I took it to a place down the street to put it on. I need to take it back, the tire pressure device isn’t working. I replaced the rear pads on Saturday too. That little car has the easiest to change brakes of any car I’ve ever owned. Tie-rod ends next. I must say, it’s starting to be a decent little car. One you settle in with a job and school, we’ll need to figure out the car sharing situation, at least until you’re ready to buy your own.

I’m sure you saw President Neilson’s talk on Friday. It made a big impact on me. It was powerful in its message of respect and gratitude. I’ve known for a long time how gratitude works in my life, but I’m still not sure if I’m always grateful. I was more bold than usual in sharing that message on my Facebook feed, I don’t interact with any other social media. I’ve also noticed a much more positive feed on Facebook. It’s a welcome change from all the Covid and political news. I wonder what kind of impact it may have had beyond our LDS social circles. I’d guess it got out farther than that. I hope at the very least it can help us members keep a little more positivity and a little less divisiveness in our posts.

Church was good today, both speakers spoke on gratitude. Bishop is home sick with Covid. He did give the lesson in priests quorum according to Jacob. He brought out your story of staying out when you might of come home. You’re a legend Ben, carry it proudly.

You have been an inspiration and example to a lot of people through your service. Many of them will be looking forward to seeing you in the coming weeks. You may feel like what you’ve just done is mundane, or common, believe me Benjamin, it is not. What you’ve done, experienced, sacrifices, suffered through, gloried in, been blessed by, is extraordinary, especially in this moment of the world. Your generation of missionaries is having to do things nobody ever did before. None of us that served will ever really relate to that. Mom and I worried that when there was talk about sending the missionaries home what the effect on the world may be. I think you guys were left out there for a reason well beyond what we can know. Also, I think that you’ll be better prepared for that changed world. It’s different, it will never be the same.

As a warning, your mom and I are anxious to help you into this next phase of life. We’re anxious to know your plans and your goals. Please understand that that will come from a desire to help you, to encourage you, and, as much as we can, to support you. Please don’t take it as nagging, it won’t be. I know you’ll be ready to start as soon as you are able.

In the meantime, let’s have some fun together, catch up with each other, and enjoy this time for what it gives us. I’m so looking forward to Tuesday Benjamin, I hope you are too. We’ll see grandma and grandpa after we pick you up. Be prepared to choose where you want to eat or mom might choose kneaders again. Wednesday is up to you if we do much or not. I know mom wants to go get you clothes and shoes and stuff to make sure you have what you need. Thursday we’ll be home, cooking and eating. No plans for Friday or Saturday yet. But you’re aunt Stella and uncle Temmy would love to see you. I thought while we were there we could do them a little service and clean the leaves out of their gutters and do a little raking. I thought maybe we could have a little adventure in the Jeep if you wanted to get some clean air. But that’s up to you kid. If you want to go see your old comps or friends, feel free. Take the car, or invite them over.

See you soon kid,

Pops