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

Calder, I've been thinking so much about you and some of the things we talked about on Sunday night/Monday morning and I keep coming to the title of my email. Sometimes I want someone to run before they are ready to walk. It's all about the baby steps. You're doing a great job and I know you are frustrated. I'm thinking that instead of feeling frustrated, maybe it would help to focus on the baby steps? And for some reason you have been given the responsibility to build your companions into the missionaries they can become. I've watched you do this with so many of your comps. Some of them have been easier than others and overall you've been given quite a sampling. So, after a lot of thought and prayer on your behalf...my advice is to meet your comp and your mission president where they are at. Help them walk and soon they will run with you. We must develop the capacity to see others not as they are at present but as they may become. Meeting someone wher...

Calder.... How is it not Monday any more? I believe you can read email throughout the week, so I think I'm okay? I hope you can! And I actually think that it might be nice to not receive every email on Monday and talk to us too? Questions I'll for sure ask next time we talk. First off, for your Christmas enjoyment, I'm sending you another movie quote game! Here you go. No pressure, but I got 100% “You have such a pretty face. You should be on a Christmas card.” A-Home Alone B-A Christmas Story C-Elf “A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child.” A-Miracle On 34th Street B-White Christmas C-Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep. Then you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.” A-Home Alone B-Miracle On 34th Street C-White Christmas “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” A-Christmas Vacation B-Home Alone C-A Charl...

Dear Calder.... I'm finally getting to my letter. Whoa...it's been a busy last week for me, but first....the pics: Pic #1- the newly engaged couple. We are fans of Kylie. And Eth is such a great one. I know this process has been really difficult for Chad and Cec, but she's a keeper. I think it's just tricky to pave the path and Ethan is just a bit of a spacer and so he's really put Cecily in some awkward situations. I think hearts can be healed and hurts can be mended, but it's going to take some time to let go and give it to their Savior. They will all get there. Eth and Kylie came over for hot coco before they walked to the park. I felt so honored that we were included like that. This pic was taken when they returned. So fun. So happy. I'm excited. Pic #2 - cute little basketball friends. Jane and Sawyer are going waaay out of their comfort zones and playing jr jazz together. I'm super proud of them - especially Jane. Going out of he...