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

Well, by far and away the very best part of Thanksgiving was your phone call. It was such a highlight. And to listen to you and Will and McKay go back and forth brought a tear to my eye. You couldn't have said better words than you said about the Book of Mormon. It was the PERFECT message for all of us...especially Hunter and Henry. Thank you for your inspired words and message. We had a great time with Tara and her kids. She's such a trooper to come from so far away. I loved having the Horsleys gathered together in our home. We felt inspired to place Gma and Gpa at the head of the table to honor them and all they've done to bring the gathering to pass. I made a speech before the dinner started and said that without them, we wouldn't have a place to gather everyone. That I knew that this wasn't exactly the circumstances that Gma and Gpa had pictured for the gathering but that it was the people not the place that was important. We divided and conquered ...

Dear Calder, Wow...has your week been spiritually exhausting too? I am so excited to hear all about the changes and your new responsibilities. As I gathered pictures for the weekly email, I came across McKay's birthday and it feels like a month since McKay's birthday! Last Sunday after everyone finally went to bed and I sent your letter, I stayed up super late thinking through counselors and advisors for my new young women's calling as president. I don't know if you know this, but I've never been a president before. It was actually a really cool experience. My head was just spinning all night and finally I went to bed. Monday morning I woke up and continued pondering, rearranging and thinking about the names that kept coming back around. Lori Paulsen came over later that morning and we visited for like three hours as we talked over names, needs of the girls and moving forward. After Lori left, I felt my head spinning even more and I was just anxious. I s...

Calder, What exciting news you told us today. I hope the train ride has been going well for you and that you got some sleep. What a crazy day and week you have ahead of you. I am so thrilled for the new opportunities and will be praying my guts out for you. I know you can do everything that the Lord wants you to do. I am so excited to have such a close seat to watch as it unfolds. Well, my mind has officially been blown tonight. First of all, such exciting news with your changes and then tonight we got a call from Bishop to come in at 8pm. I figured it would be for trek Ma and Pa. Absolutely NOTHING on my radar. So, I was blown away when I got released from YWs. I'm not going to lie...I was seriously so excited and relieved for a minute. I had a huge smile on my face. That has NEVER been the case before when I've been released from a calling. I was surprised at my reaction. But then I felt a little sad until the Bishop said, "But we have a new calling for...

I saw a Hasidic Jew in New York on the street and I thought of you 😂 Those curly sideburns would be you if you grew them out! We also watched tons of Seinfeld, ate soup at the Original Soup Kitchen (Gwen got Lobster Bisque and thought it tasted fishy…she didn’t realize Lobster came in the bisque 😂) and talked about you a ton! Gwen told me that you are the brother who she feels the closest to and the one she’d turn to in times of need. I asked her why and she told me that she feels like you actually care when you ask her how she's doing and you tell her that you love her in a normal, non pedophile way. So, thank you. She needs that sibling support! The trip….it was so fun! I absolutely LOVED every second of being with Gwen and touring New York City and the church history sites together. The 12 year old trip is such a different trip. I just did the 16 year old trip with Henry six months ago and those 4 years make such a difference. I’m glad that Dad switched it up for the girls....