“Oh My Son, Remember…” – Letters to Calder on His Mission

Hey Calder...sorry I missed emailing on Tuesday! I actually went to dinner with a group of D6th women that Lisa Packer put together. It was super fun. They all asked about you. I’d name them off but it was like 16 women. I also saw Jen Harris last night and she was asking about you. She also wants to be on your email list. I’ll get your her address. You’ve probably seen the Halloween picks. We had a fun primary/young women’s activity yesterday in Walden Circle. It was a lot of work but it turned out great. Nothing like the D6th ward trunk or treat at the church. They had a magician, balloon guy AND a corn dog food truck. It was awesome, so we went over after ours. Haha. This was before the girls left for school this morning. Gwen’s a creepy doll and Jane’s a unicorn. Have you played Chrissy roads? This was us last night laughing at Dad’s mad skills. Of course Henry found this game...and he’s like a pro at it. More unicorn fun before the primary activity yesterday. I’m thinki...

Calder!!! We've been praying for Krannah, Karleen, Draelyn, Richard and Jim. Any progress? I can't wait to hear about the exciting/crazy stories this week. I hope they don't involve your new companionship roommates. And I am praying that the trainer is much better than you'd heard! And BTW - I thought your picture of Jesus was great! In fact, all your pictures were stellar last week. I kind of gave you updates throughout the week of the happenings. We made it home safely from St George...although we had a serious blessing just outside of St George when a big truck hauling a trailer/Razor lost its front tire. Seriously...the front passenger tire just flew off and was flug all over the freeway. The tire eventually hit the back of the trailer, bounced into the middle and on to the southbound freeway oncoming cars. We were literally right behind the truck and slowed way down. There were other cars and campers that were to the side but miraculously nobody was hit. ...

Well...it’s done. McKay left it all on the table. He started 200th and finished 20th. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I don’t think he felt like he could have done anymore, so he’s happy with the results. It was a killer for sure. His back was thrashed...remember those good old feelings of your back cramping?!? He was hurting. This picture (pic1) captured a moment of happiness and pure pain. One of the highlights of the day was seeing cute Elder Tallon Galloran (I have no idea how to spell his last name). He came up to me and it was SO good to see him!! He asked all about you. And he was very sweet, telling me what a great example and friend you’ve been to him. He was super embarrassed because he didn’t have his tag on. He’s forgotten it. I think he was trying to cover that with his phone (pic2). He finished his home MTC and is waiting to leave. Anyway, it was awesome to talk with him!! St George has been super low key. Really...maybe a little boring. It’s nice weather, but definitely...

We made it to St George. I decided you’d probably want to see your buddy from the gym, so I snapped a crazy stocker lady photo. I also saw an Elder Millich or something at the gym. He knows you. He’s good friends with the Roberts boys and he said he's skied with you before. He’s doing home MTC and it was just awesome to see him at the gym. I was missing the good old times for sure! McKay abs Caleb answered. Can you tell which poster I wrote? And Caleb and Mia are no longer. Caleb just decided that he didn’t want to be in a serious relationship. Can you tell what’s wrong with McKay’s poster. Check out the U in you. He worked so hard and didn’t even notice. Such a bright absent minded professor. And oldie but goodie Christine sent me. Don’t you love how serious I am? And Christine's purple tights?!? And funny story. Remember our good friend Vern and his Bernerdoodle Kota? Well I was walking scout off leash on Wednesday morning over by the springers when vern was drivin...

Wow! What a week. We had a surprise visit from Tallon and Kenna on Thursday night, which was so fun. One thing that is for sure about Tallon is that he loves you. He may never write or make huge efforts but he misses you. He mentioned a guy who is going to move in once Blake leaves on his mission...I can't remember his name...but he said that he reminds Tallon of you. And he used these words "he reminds me of Calder but he will never replace Calder!" Anyway, they seemed to be doing really well. It felt like it was going to be really sad for Tallon when Kenna left. My heart kind of hurt for him to lose you, Jackson, Blake and Kenna! He didn't make any mention of serving a mission, not that I expected him to, but it will be lonely for him for sure. Tallon did tell me that Carson was the best to live with and that everyone is frustrated with Blake...surprise, surprise... Apparently Blake has a serious girlfriend. Kenna said that this girl is actually a good g...

I am praying with all my heart that today was a better day!! Don’t forget that your grocery delivery is coming on Wednesday morning between 8am and 9am. I hope it’s useful. It’s enough for two batches of cookies. When you start, soften the butter in the microwave don’t melt it!!!! Just soften for like 5- 10 seconds per cube. Let me know how it goes!!! Tonight’s dinner was a hit...and oldie but goodie....baked potatoes, ham, broccoli, cheese, and apples. The most exciting part of the night was sending you a Halloween package. I can’t wait for you to get it! My pics are kind of lame...I’ve got to do better! The weekend girlfriend came over on Monday night to carve pumpkins. We had strict rules not to bug them...hah! Jane came in and told Syd McKay loved her. Nice. And here’s the one and only B-E-N-N-E-T-T...Jane’s crush. He was in the circle today playing and she was all sorts of giddy about it. What are we in for when she’s a teenager!?! Better pics tomorrow. Hang in there. Be ...

So...I'm very excited to hear about your door dash discussion. I've thought a lot about that all week! Such a cool way to find someone! And how was the B-DUBS??? I hope you felt our love! This week flew by! MONDAY: Some pumpkin painting (pic 1) and a special Zupas lunch date with Jane (pic 2) - she and Gwen LOVED your emails! Dinner was a tasty alfredo by Henry Horsley working to get on top of all classes, like foods. It was delicious (pic 3) and I think he is getting there. The end of the quarter is on Friday. Fingers crossed that he keeps his good streak up... TUESDAY: We were supposed to go to a play at the Hale Center Theater with Grandma Ann and Grandpa Jim called "The Million Dollar Quartet" but they tested positive for COVID! Luckily, they are feeling much better and it was overall a pretty mild case. We missed them and it was a bummer since that was our present to them last year for Christmas, but we took Henry, Gwen and Jane and they LOVED it. Defi...

So....I'm a little stressed about your apartment being broke into twice. Who isn't locking the door? You know that you need to put your important things and money in a safe place...but obviously, I don't need to tell you that, right?? How goes the white washing?? Any bites? I saw that you had the opportunity to go to Zone Conference and I cannot wait to hear about it. MONDAY: Is now my favorite day because we get to talk to you! Highlight of the week (pic 1). We also got Scout back and after a couple of days of paralysis, she is finally walking normal....such a relief. It was seriously so sad to watch her trip all over and have to carry her outside to go to the bathroom! TUESDAY: I went to dinner with my high school friends, which was so fun! Between the six of us there, we have four missionaries currently serving - Colorado, California, Independence and TEXAS! WEDNESDAY: When your sister shows up and you are dressed like twinners (pic 2). I was throwing away YOUR ...

CALDER!!! This has been the LONGEST week! It honestly feels like you've been gone for a month! I can't believe how different it is around here without you. The weirdest thing is that we have a lot of food left over for dinner...I guess I need to adjust! Here's a run down of the week.... MONDAY: I don't know how Will's comp had the ability to send a picture of you guys together, but we got that shortly after we said goodbye to you at the airport (pic #1). A few hours later I got a texted picture of you in front of a fireplace (pic #2) with no explanation or anything. I assumed it was at the mission home, so I replied and said thank you but nothing. The Lawsons - in true form - brought over a poster board with donuts and rootbeer float stuff (pic #3) and it felt like we were getting asked to a dance..haha. Crumble cookies, caramels, flowers, etc. were all delivered as good neighbors and friends tried to console us. I ate so much sugar and cried that I had a h...