Life In The Fast Lane

Dear Calder, It has been a great week. I am excited to see and talk to you tonight. I hope you've been having a great week as well. I am anxious to hear about those you are teaching and new contacts you have made. I've thought so much about you as I've seen pictures of the refugees from Ukraine arrive in Germany. I am touched by the goodness of mankind and those waiting to welcome them into their homes. Cecily told me that Elder Hasson welcomed someone from one of the wards he was in. I think the story was that the member left her husband behind and got on the train with her child(ren). She knew she was in the right place when she got off the train and saw Elder Hasson in the station. My friend Katie Gilbert send me this story from her friend who had a daughter serve in Ukraine: "Ellie told me today that she talked to a family that she baptized while she was in Ukraine. The mother and twin daughters just got out to Poland but the dad has to stay of course. She talked to the dad and he said that there are missionaries at every entrance to Poland waiting to help members of the church. Can you imagine the relief they felt when they saw the white shirt and tie?" This was my response: "Oh Katie 😭 Thank you! I love that image. My heart has been with Calder and the Ukrainian people we love. I’ve seen pictures of trains entering into Germany with Germans holding posters with the number of people they can house. I've been wondering if Calder is in the train stations helping to translate between German and Ukraine. When we spoke to Calder on Wednesday night, he was doing better than I thought. Being busy serving is a blessing during hard times. I used to be glued to the news when everything started. It’s so heartbreaking. I wish I could be busy serving those who have been hit so hard with this terrible war. We are praying for a miracle. Calder was born 22 days after 9/11. I remember talking to Susan just before he came and telling her my worries about bringing a new baby into such a wicked world. Susan stopped me and said very firmly that what the world needed now more than ever was a generation of strong, valiant youth to give hope and lead during such tumultuous times. I’ve been thinking a lot about that. We have a very valiant, strong youth battalion out there leading and giving hope. Isn’t that wonderful what relief can come when seeing the white shirt and tie! So great to hear from you. Thank you for your sweet text ❤️" I know that is true. You were sent at a very special time to do exactly what you are doing. To be honest, when Will was having such an epic adventure getting to Germany at the beginning of his mission and you were serving in Texas, I thought to myself..."Change and the unknown is so difficult for Will! But Calder LOVES adventure!" Well...you got your adventure! I have been able to see the Lord's hand in things at every step, turn, high, low and adventure. When you were sent to Germany, that surprised me! But I can see the wisdom in having you there to help the Ukrainian refugees you may come in contact with. I know the relief that others feel when they see the white shirts and ties. You may not always know or meet those that feel the relief, but many are seeing and watching you and feeling relief, hope and a sense of home because of your white shirt and tie. The Lord is truly at the helm of your adventure/mission. Sometimes we see it and sometimes we don't. I am praying that you can see it. Although there is so much wickedness and sadness in this world, the words from my favorite broadway musical Hamilton run through my head so often "Look around, look around...how lucky we are to be alive right now...History is happening in Manhattan...And we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world In the greatest city in the world!" And think of all the greatest cities in the world you've been in as you've experienced history. Unbelievable! **incert mother's great advice...not to drink more water, not to take your vitamin D....but....are you writing this in your journal????** Our week has been good. I've included a few pics. It's funny how many shirtless pics I get of your brothers, right? Well, they seem to always have their shirts off lately. One of McKay sporting his BYU gear. One pic of teenie bopper Jane waiting to go to the Simmons for a sleepover (she dressed herself), one of Gwen after she finished Federation last week (which she nailed! and probably got a superior for...don't you miss those good old days?) and one of the YW skiing last week for our activity (which was awesome!). Everyone seems to be doing well, Henry took the ACT yesterday - second time. He felt good about it. The boys finished up their Jr. Jazz season, going out in the first round of the tournament...bummer! Gwen got invited to go with Kapri's super rich grandpa to Harry Potter world in CA on his private plane that he pilots all expenses paid....what? And Jane taught a very emotional CFM lesson last night. It started with her wielding her power and authority as teacher and ended in a melt down. You really missed out. Ty Horsley and his kids are in town for their spring break. It's great to see them. We had a fun Calder family Sunday gathering and Paige came. It was great to see her and her bright pink hair. I went to pick her up at her apartment on campus. It was so fun driving around Provo and thinking that we will have two boys there in the fall! BTW - Jackson and Peyton Calder (Mark's kids) got into BYU Provo. So in the fall, there will be 6 Calder cousins at BYU (You, McKay, Jackson, Peyton, Paige and Topher) and 4 Horsley cousins (You, McKay, Ethan and Will)! That's pretty cool to have 6 cousins plus a brother on campus! Love you so much Calder! You are in so many people's prayers and thoughts - especially mine. I hope you can feel it. The Lord must really trust you to give you so many adventures and opportunities to grow. You are doing great things and making me so proud. Our family can feel the blessings from your dedicated and obedient service. Keep giving it your all. Your example is inspiring and priceless for us at home. Good things are happening here with your brothers. Love you TONS! Mom PS: Two extra things...one, Ethan told me the other night that he had a "come to Jesus" talk with Will about the German sister that he's crushing on and told him straight up that the Lord can't send people to him to teach because he's heart is not fully there. Go Eth! And second, McKay's friends are starting to get their calls...Ethan Howell (do you remember him...he's a good friend) opened his call to Mexico City leaving July 20th.