Shitcacca, it’s not what you think

 Hi elder Rivera,

Conference ended about an hour ago and we’re still just sort of hanging out, so I’m writing a little earlier than normal. 

The world is coming out of the pandemic and there’s a war in Russia and there’s a lot of inflation with prices rising pretty high. So conference starts and the first three talks are about what? Missions. How it’s a responsibility for priesthood holders. And how if you are still of mission age you should go. And I’ll bet there were at least two more talks that emphasized it. Then my heart filled with pride for you boys. You’ve all three planned to answer the call. You and Ben both served during Covid and you both fought to stay. Joey will have his challenges and trials too, but even in his lesson last week he mentioned his intent to serve more than once. Mom and I were talking about it after and how important it is for our world to have missionaries in it, and how our prophet knows that we need to be strong people for this world.

We just heard that Mexico City is getting another temple. Will it be anywhere near your mission? I know that’s like a temple in Utah being announced and someone asking if it will be in bluffdale.

The big news for Friday was ben was able to get us three muss tickets. We don’t have seat assignments yet, but it should be fun. Hopefully he’ll be able to get them next year when you’re back. 

Yesterday we did the typical Saturday conference stuff. We met grandma about 8 and went to the dunford donuts factory store. We were only with her for a few minutes, but it’s so fun to be with her. 

For conference, I had finished my electrical update in the garage, it works by the way, so i decided to clean up the mess, which basically extended to the whole garage. So I cleaned up the mess from the project, organized the shelves by moms car, moved a whole bunch of stuff from the garage to the shed, filled up one of our outside trash cans. And cleaned up a bunch of crap that had accumulated on the floor. It doesn’t sound like much, but it took me a while, and I only found one dead mouse, which mom doesn’t need to be informed of. Every time I clean the garage mom is convinced we can fit two cars on that side. Maybe a motorcycle, but not a car. 

Right after conference ben and I went to meet Joey for his meal break at rancharitos. Mom stayed home to clean and help get ready for women’s conference. After that, ben and I didn’t really want to be home with the ladies coming over. Artie is remodeling the basement in his house where grandma and grandpa used to live. So he’s getting rid of a bunch of stuff, none of which I really wanted. He did convince me to take some book cases and an old computer. On the way to Artie’s we stopped by aunt Stella’s to help her get the Gospel.library app on her phone. That seems easy, but for some reason when older people have tech, the technology gets really stubborn and doesn’t work as easy as it should, then they think it’s all too complicated. For some reason, I had to sighn out of her account and back in, but I got it to work. She made us chocolate cake. I watched her make the frosting and it felt like I was a kid watch my mom make frosting. You know how sappy I am, it was a really happy feeling. 

We finally got over to Artie’s for the shelves. He’s really fixing up that house and he’s really proud of it. I’m super proud of him for how he’s come through his trials. He’s an amazing generous person. He’s fixing up that basement. He bought a giant tv and is getting a big couch and new carpet. He wants to have you boys over for game and movie nights. It should be fun. He also had all the trees trimmed, fixed the stucco on the house, got the plumbing fixed, and had the place deep cleaned. That divorce was brutal on that family. I’m so happy for them on how well they are coming out of it. Every time you hear a conference talk about coming out of a trial stronger, I think that this is proof of that.

Right now mom’s watching a food show about Norway. I’m not kidding, their meat balls are called shitcacca, I know that’s not how it’s spelled, but it is how it’s pronounced. It explains a lot about the food at ikea.

Today has be a sit around day. I have to admit that while I was working yesterday the talks really sank in as I worked and listened on the radio. Today, sitting comfortably on the couch, not so much sinking in as sleeping. The peace and familiarity of confidence plus family is just about the most soothing thing in the world for me. That’s also why I make a big point of reading the talks after.

Ben finished his Lego fender guitar, Joey is about half done with his globe. 

We did go to grandmas between sessions. It’s now 6:30 and I’m still not hungry. 

Well, I’m about out of stuff to tell you. Just know that I am proud of you. You are deeply missed, but we are so grateful for your service. I know our family is blessed because of your dedication and sacrifice. You are an amazing example, to your little brother and others. This week brother knight told me that you boys are examples to his son issac. He is super interested in where the missionaries in are ward get to serve, and you guys are the rare young men that serve.

I sure love you kid,

Dayad 

Pic: Ben’s version of that dish from that Mexican restaurant I told you about, it was much better.