Christmas Readings

Shawn wrote: We had a book of Christmas readings that we used to go through during the month of December. It had a story and a song for each night of December, leading up to Christmas. It is currently in storage. We just finished reading the Book of Mormon and I wanted to do something like that with my family again this year, so yesterday I spent a few hours going through December Ensigns (or Liahonas) and New Era magazines, and found about 20 stories I thought my family might like to hear or might benefit from hearing about Christmas. We will probably read one a night during December, and then read the actual stories of Christ from the scriptures. These stories that I have attached are, of course copywrited and are often taken out of context, so I have included the full citation at the front of each story in case you want to go there, but all the more reason to disregard this or not forward it to others. Each story/quote (except one) is one-to-two pages long. Because I planned to actually read from the scriptures, these do not include any cases where the story of Christ’s birth, or prophesies of his birth, are recited. As a result, I don’t want you to replace your regular family scripture study with this, and it may actually be too long for many of you who have smaller children. So, altogether, maybe it is a bad idea that I am even sending it or suggesting that it has in value for any family besides my own. Also, it is not short, by any means, and would take quite a bit of paper if you printed it. But since I had the thought to send it, I will move ahead with that decision and, with all the disclaimers I have given, allow you to make your own determination. It is a PDF document, if you want to see it in some other format, let me know.

But aside from all of this, I hope you each realize how much I love you and how reminiscent I become of the times we have spent together, whether in need or in plenty, from shooting grasshoppers, to braiding hair, to playing games in the yard, to just enjoying meals or camping trips together. Unfortunately, I have often gone without saying that each of you and each of my children and wife are my dearest friends. I sure hope you each had a good Thanksgiving, and that you may be blessed during the coming Christmas season.

Myrna wrote: I also become nostalgic at this time of year. 

Thanks for the readings. Dad and I can actually read them on the computer but I will probably print them off at any rate. That way I can have them. I guess I could burn them to a CD and then I would still have them but I like paper better. Who am I kidding? I am nostalgic all of the time. I think the fact that I am turning 70 this birthday and, not soon after, Dad will be 76, has really sunk home. I am now only a few years away from the age of Grandmother Smith, Grandma Edna and Aunt Renee when they died. I know, I know, I sound like Grandma T but, one thing I have learned is that it is true that my time will be short in comparison with what I have already lived. Even if I live to be 90, I will not have as long to live left as I have already lived. It is just a fact of life. Having said that, I want you all to know how much I love each of you. That love has expanded to include not only my children but my children's spouses and each and every one of my grandchildren. I LOVE YOU!

I hope you all know that the silly little cards and the dumb little $1 (which Mary tells me won't buy ANYTHING) are just one of the ways I have chosen to stay connected so that you will all know you are loved.

Melanie wrote: Actually, the dollar buys me much joy. I can get a package of gum, or a bottle of water, or a package of gummy bears or spice drops...all candy and not very good for me, but it still gives me great pleasure.  Mel

Mom wrote: A bottle of water is so good for you. Sugarless gum is also good for you. As for the others, they always remind me of childhood (yours) and are comfort foods. 

Thanks to all of you!

Kirsten wrote: I save it up for babysitting!  :)

Myrna wrote: That takes awhile!

Amy G wrote: Thank you for the cards and treat $.  We got them today.  THanks! Amy

Weeks and Weeks

Mom, you are so right: the time just flies by! I cannot believe that I, 1. have completed 6 months, 2. that your birthday was 2 weeks ago and I never said anything, 3. that Mikaela turned 13! Oh my...forgive me for my stupidity! Mom and Miki

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

It seems as if the family has been rather busy this week. With all of the things that are going on it's sometimes hard to remember to stop and just take a breath, so that's why it's always nice to go to the temple and take a breather. Every now and then it feels like we're running a marathon here in this life. At times we get injured, we get cramped up, or we just hit the wall. However, we have the amazing capacity to endure. We can fight, keep pushing forward, keeping running. We are not alone wither: there is a huge crowd of people (those we know and love with those we do not know) who cheer us on and want us to succeed. As long as we remember that we can keep going we will endure until we reach the finish line. No one will win, no one will lose; we are all going to run together and make it to the finish line. I love the temple because it's like one of the water stations, it's a chance for us to get a little re-energized, refocused and recharged to run the next leg until the next little pit stop. Mom, I imagine that it was nice for you to go to the temple with dad, and be able to see one of your old young women take some serious steps in her life: to further her commitments to serve the Lord.

This week has been full of surprises and learning experiences. We had an emergency multi-zone conference which was focused on keeping the spirit with us, using the spirit to teach and guide us to the people that we need to contact and teach. I learned so much and came out of the conference edified and energized to work in my area again. I have also had the opportunity to get closer to my Heavenly Father, my Saviour and the Holy Ghost. I have felt a difference in my teaching, my relationships with the people here and a difference in my attitude since leaving the Multi-Zone conference.

I find it very bizarre that Elder Branch is leaving. I remember when he came to Franklin, it feels like yesterday. He has been an amazing missionary and a great friend to the people out there in MA. I want to become like him. I work with some of the youth here and sometimes I wonder if they look up to me like I looked up to him way back when.

It makes me so excited to hear from everyone at home and to know that things are going well, at least in a general sense. Your words always fill me with such joy and conviction to work with families so that people here can enjoy blessing that I have enjoyed in my life thanks to my gospel-centered family. 

Just remember the Lord's advice to us in D&C 121:7 and we will always follow that council that Brigham Young gave.

Love you all, and i'll actually make a list of cool things to tell you about my area and about Christmas-time here in Nicaragua.

Love,

Elder B

If Nobody Smiled and Nobody Cared

IF 

If nobody smiled and nobody cared 
and nobody helped us along. 
If every moment looked after itself and 
good things always went to the strong; 
If nobody thought just a little about you 
and nobody cared about me, 
and we stood all alone, in the battle of life, 
What a dreary old world this would be. 
 
Life is sweet, just because, of friends we have made 
And the things which in common we share. 
We want to live on, not because of ourselves, 
but because of the people who care. 
It is doing and giving for somebody else 
on which all life's splendor depends. 
The joy of this world, when you've summed it all up 
is found in the making of friends. 

 ~ Author Unknown ~ 

Cooked Play Dough

Cooked Play Dough
3 cups flour
1 cup salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar (I think I only used 3 teaspoons)
3 cups water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Blend water and oil together in a bowl. Add to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Add several drops of food coloring until you get the right color. Cook for about five minutes. Take the play dough out of the saucepan and put it on a cutting board or counter and cool for a few minutes so you don't burn yourself. While still warm knead for a few minutes. Add flour if it's too sticky. This play dough should last around three months if you keep it sealed in an airtight container or plastic ziplock bag. It's so smooth and fun to play with when it's still warm. For ornaments: make shapes. Put shapes on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 300 degrees F for about one hour until the clay is golden. (You can weight down the shapes with another cookie sheet for the first half hour.) Paint them for fun. Seal with shellac to make shiny.

The World Turns Round Like a Merry-Go-Round

SALUDOS DE NICARAGUA!

Familia...How are y'all? I only get updates from mom, dad and grandma so it's hard to know how well the rest of you are doing since i never hear anything from you (then again, i do forgive siovhan for her lack of computer). but Ben and Miki, what's up???

Back to business. So life as a DL is pretty much all I thought that it would be: more work, more stress and more fun! I love being able to have a different relationship with the missionaries in a district. Being in charge of 4 extra missionaries, besides myself and my comp,  sometimes seems like a lot of work, but gratefully the other Elders in my district are fantastic and work really hard. I'm so proud of them...whereas my area on the other hand. Let's just say that I'm working really hard but I'm not quite seeing the fruits of my labor yet. I know that I need to change how I work, because out here in Managua there's a different way of working than in Puerto. It's like if take dad out of his position at Covidien and call up Bishop and tell him to go over and take over for my dad. Sure, they are both businessmen, but Bishop is not accustomed to all that dad does and vice-versa. They would both have to learn their respective roles and then keep working. There might be a point in the process where is seems like neither one is getting anything done, but such is the nature of the beast. There has to be a crossover, a change. I think I'm starting to find it, I just need to put my all into the work and hope that I can start seeing results.

I love this area here in Managua, don't get me wrong. The people here are absolutely fantastic, it's just so different from Puerto. I love the people in Puerto and miss them more than I could ever express with mere words. All I need to do now is trust in the Lord and have the faith that whatever it is that's going on here in my area is meant for my own betterment. I believe that sometimes in life we do what Elder Wirthlin said, we ask "Why me?" instead of "What am I supposed to learn from this?" Sometimes I think like that, especially with the pressure that exists within me to help others become better and to baptize, but I need to realize that I need to press forward and have more faith. These things will pass. It reminds me of my first week on the mission: it was SO hard and seemed So difficult, but it was only a week.

Regarding Thanksgiving: We don't have anything special planned except that I told my cooking lady that I want this dish called Indio Viejo, as it's the closest thing to an American dish that is made from scratch here. I do think that my comp and I are might do something....I just have to get a little creative.

Grammy--The work at times is a little discouraging. I am not going to lie about that. However, for me everything is better when I have one person come back to the church, or when I help a family enter the waters of baptism. When I get a little upset I just think about how little time I have here in Nicaragua and how I need to enjoy it. I also think about the other people that have already gone through things like this, or worse. After that I feel fine and work even harder. The General Authorities are correct when they say that the secret to missionary work is the work. Also, there is a significant different between those who decided to go to school before their missions and those who stayed at home. I know that I made a good decision because of the miracles that happened at BYU, but I am even more grateful for the fact that I learned how to live with someone else before coming here. There is a big difference between those Elders that had roommates and didn't. :( Packages get here to me Grammy, so don't worry, just don't send expensive things.

Mom and Dad--I'm going to be super careful now. I am really sorry. I should have been super careful, but I wasn't. I'll have to make this up to you after the mish...but thank you for helping me not only fiscally, but spiritually as well. Also, I didn't get the chance to go to the leadership training. I did hear that it was amazing. It makes me so happy to know that even before the General Authorities tell us to do somehting, we're already doing it. That has happened to me here in the mission, leaders will tell us that we need to start doing something, but normally I'm already working on it/already started it. Cool stuff. And regarding the package...I would love like 2 short-sleeved white shirts, 6 dri-lux round-neck mefium garment tops, 6 of those 50-50 garment bottons (32), maybe a bottle of lotion from Bath and Body Works, and maybe a pair of shoes. My shoes are getting trashed, and fast. My boots are fantastic though. Send me those Floorsheim that we bought. I think that is all, unless you can/ want to add more. ;) 

Thank you all for your love and your prayes, they make a world of difference for me here. Stay strong and work hard in all you do. Also, HELP OUT THE MISSIONARIES. Referrals should be the only way to work as a missionary, they are the best ones to teach, the most fun, and the most secure for baptism. Invite friends and family-friends to come over and meet with the missionaries or go visit them with the missionaries.

Love you all, 
Elder B

Erin's Concert

Myrna wrote: We had a sweet call from Erin inviting us to her Christmas concert at school. She said something about going to the airport on the 20th. Is that for another concert? We would like to be there for the school concert. I don't know if we can work it out or not. We are trying to figure that out and then we will call her.

We love you all, M

Information for December 4th‏

H D TRAUNTVEIN (prute@q.com)
11/20/10 
To: Leonard Trauntvein

Dearest family: it is truly a Winnie the Pooh's "blustery" day. Pray all is well for you and yours.

Recently at the Distribution Center, had the opportunity to serve a beautiful young woman and her mother, purchasing ceremonial clothes for the special occurrence coming up on 4th December in the Manti Temple. 

Heidi, the young woman, is married and is being sealed to her husband on the 4th., her husband has a brother who is also being married and sealed on the same day.

I shared with them about you folks working in the temple on that day and asked for information to give to you- it felt like we are kindred spirits.

Heidi Glade and her husband Matt Stoddard are being sealed at 11:15 a.m.

Matt's brother Luke Stoddard and Brenda Wilson are being sealed at 10:30 a.m.

They are soooooo excited.

When I had finished my shift and was getting ready to leave, one of the Distribution workers came into the storage room, where I was getting ready to leave and said there were some people looking for me and wondering if I might still be there. 

When I want out into the clothing area--there they were- Heidi and her mom- they wanted me to give them your names- wrote them down and gave to them.

It would be really special to them, should you folks have the time to meet them.

Have a good week-end

Am really looking forward to Monday for the tour of Carl Blocks' painting. Hope the weather, it is forcast to snow, will be drivable for us. 

Love you much. Just Me.

Pomegranate Fruit Salad Recipe

1 to 2 pomegranates (it depends on how big they are), peel fruits and break seeds apart
2 medium-sized bananas, peeled and sliced
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 large apples, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups seedless grapes, cut in half
1 20-ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained
1/2 cup celery, diced thinly
1/2 cup  walnuts, chopped
1 pint whipping cream.

Grandma T. made a fruit salad but she didn't add the fresh fruit. She used canned fruit and fruit cocktail and topped it with whipped cream

Both Aunt Renee and Grandma Smith made a Waldorf Salad dressing but Dad liked his mother's whipped cream dressing. The other day, however, he said that he remembered that he liked my family salad. I like it the way my family made it. And this is the recipe that they used. Grandma Edna learned to make it from them. She said to just never let anyone (like your dad) see you stir in the mayonnaise and you would be fine. There was no recipe just "do as I do" which was pretty much the way my family cooked. I am the one who made them let me measure their "one full hand of" and wrote everything down.

1 pint whipping cream, whipped
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Fold in the whipped cream.

I have tried it with one 8-ounce container of vanilla yogurt as the dressing. That is also good, I think.

Directions:
Mix fruits together and chill in refrigerator. Lightly toss fruits with the dressing. Top with walnuts just before serving.

Please Pay Attention

Myrna wrote: I bought the DVD, "How to Train a Dragon," for each family for Christmas. How many of you already have it? The one I purchased has the sequel to it included so that there are two DVDs in the package. 


Melanie wrote: Mikaela bought the double dvd set with her babysitting money a few weeks ago. Sorry. Mel

Myrna wrote: What else should I get?

Melanie wrote: You're asking the wrong Mother. Remember how I suggested something for a few people a few years ago, and it all went terribly wrong. Yeah...I don't even surprise my children with stuff any more...too much wasted money and effort if I do. 

I will ask them later when they get home. Mel


Myrna wrote: Oh, I don't know. The look on Howard's face was priceless. In addition, I have gotten a lot of miles out of that by teasing Ben. 

I should just return it and send the $25 and you could buy one back there (as a family). What do you think?

I think you should get Mother of the Year! That is what I think, if anyone asks. If they don't ask, tell them anyway.

You should call and ask Mary about school. She has been in time-out twice in the last two weeks. One boy teased her and she took his cap during recess and threw it over the fence. Then, yesterday, he tried to squeeze in between her and her girlfriend and she belted him. (Same boy!) Poor Julie! There is she as sick as a dog and she is having to go to school all the time.

I am sure glad that I am done with all of that. It is MUCH easier to watch my kids deal with the things I used to deal with. I understand and I have NO ADVICE. NONE! I think I am still the person who burns the last batch. I tell everyone that, had I known how much fun getting old was going to be, I would have skipped being young.

Kirsten wrote: Jared buys all the new releases through his office since he has DVD players in his operatories, so we'll have all the new ones.  Sorry.  I know that complicates life.  I don't even ask him any more... husbands + business expenses=funny things.  Thank you, though!  My kids do love that movie! Kirsten

Myrna wrote: OK, what else can I get that costs $25?

The Lamb

By William Blake

Little Lamb, who made thee? 
Dost thou know who made thee? 
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed, 
By the stream and o'er the mead; 
Gave thee clothing of delight, 
Softest clothing, woolly, bright; 
Gave thee such a tender voice, 
Making all the vales rejoice? 
Little Lamb, who made thee? 
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, 
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee. 
He is called by thy name, 
For He calls Himself a Lamb. 
He is meek, and He is mild; 
He became a little child. 
I a child, and thou a lamb, 
We are called by His name. 
Little Lamb, God bless thee! 
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Re: Hello from Nephi!

Sounds like you all were rather busy this week! Golly!

First of all Mary is a goof, I like your hair. I think that your hair is realy beautiful. Never let anyone convice you otherwise.

JULIE'S PREGNANT! I secretly hope that it's a boy... ;)

Well, I love you and grandpa so much and hope that all is well with you two. Keep me informed of what happens out there in Nephi!
Love, Elder B

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 6:54 PM, Myrna TRAUNTVEIN wrote:

We had an exciting day today. We left Nephi at 6 a.m. to drive to Layton in order to be there at 9 a.m. Toren was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood this morning. We had Sacrament meeting first, of course, so that the ward could vote on him before he was ordained. Uncle Shawn did a great job with the ordination. We took photos and had dinner with the family and then drove back to Nephi. Each one of us went to the podium and bore our testimonies. That meant that there were eight Trauntvein testimonies in meeting. Grandpa challenged us all to bear our testimonies and we all accepted. Auntie Kim said she was very proud of us because we were each careful of the time and each of us had something important to say. None of the other families could be there. Uncle Jim is in the Young Men's Presidency in his ward and he had a talk and had to sing with the boys during Sacrament meeting. Auntie AnnMarie had to speak in a ward conference in her stake since she is the stake Young Women President. Amy J. was on call and Eric had to work.

Kimberly sent us the following before we went to Layton: "Sorina said her prayers tonight and asked that Toren would not be scared tomorrow when he receives the Aaronic Priesthood. Dane, because our youth group is so small, has been doing Fast Offering since he’s been a Deacon.  He keeps telling Toren how exited he is for him to take a route. And then Shawn told Toren that he had to knock on strange people’s doors and ask for money. His eyes got big. And I said what a lucky boy that his sister had prayed for him to not be scared." 

We had two very busy days at the temple. Friday evening had a lot of patrons and so did Saturday. I was actually surprised that we had so many patrons because of the big football games being played on Saturday. Of course you know that the University of Utah was playing but it was also the state finals for the high school teams. The Deseret News reported that it was "Black Saturday" with TCU scoring 47 and Utah scoring 7. The high school teams will all play another game for first and second places in the different districts.

Auntie Julie is now telling everyone that she is expecting a baby the last week of April. She will have to have a C-section so it really will be the last week of April. She has not felt well for the past couple of months. She has had a lot of morning sickness but she is feeling some better now. 

Little Mary gave me another compliment on Friday. "Grandma, you really need to do something with your hair. You look like a Zebra." I guess my white patches mixed among the gray do look sort of spotted but I don't think they look striped. 

Gramps and I so enjoy your letters!!!!! It is wonderful what a great job you are doing. We continue to pray for your safety and for your success. I think Heavenly Father has great things in store for you during your lifetime. I don't think that either of your uncles who went to South America ever had their photos taken holding a monkey. You are not only the first missionary grandson, you are the first on your mom's side of the family to hold a money! 

Keep up the good work of baptizing and of fellow-shipping. Remember that we love you dearly!

Lots of love,

Grammy and Gramps 

Weekly Report

Sometimes I feel as if I have so much to tll you all, but then I sit down at the computer and think, "My week is going to sound so boring to them." Although my life feels like a soap opera compad to some other missionaries I know, I feel like to you it sounds like the same things over and over again.

We had another baptism this week! We baptized a youth in an inactive family. We hope that the family might start going to church now that the children are getting excited about going to church, getting baptized and everything. Although it was crazy trying to find him. He plays baseball and trains duing th days and comes home at strange times in the afternoon. We finally found him the other day and sat down and asked him why he didn' get baptized last week. Long story short, he thought that we were going to get him last week and then we never showed up. Oops.

My comp and I get along so well, although it is interesting working with a white comp again. I keep telling people that I want Latin comps and then I get another gringo. Hahaha. But we have been learning so much working together. Ihave set some goals and right now I'm ahead of the game. I want to read all of PMG, BoM and Jesus the Christ in 12 weeks. It's possible, I just need to work hard to finish it.

I just love being a missionary so much. There are always so many lessons to learn and things to do to grow, become better and serve others. Mom and Dad, I do have to thank you for always pushing me to do servicve projects and work hard. I have been recognized out here as the Elder that serves others becuase I always seek opportunities to serve others. I keep my eyes open to opportunities to teach families by the service that I provide. Service is like a giant entry-way into people's hearts. 

I also want you all to know that I know without a doubt that if we want our families to be blessed, we will read scriptures and pray together EVERY NIGHT. The people thatgo inactive here stopped doing their family prayers and stopped reading the scriptures together every night. SO please keep doing it. We need the blesssings too much to not comply with this commandment (3 Ne. 18: 20).

Well, I love you all and hope that you are doing well at work, at home and at church!
P.S. Mom...i miss the temple soooo much and am SO jealous that you get to go!

Love, Elder B

In Layton

Trauntvein guys pose for a photo: Leonard, Toren, Shawn, Dane.

Carl Bloch Exhibit

'Once-in-a-lifetime' exhibit opening at BYU Museum of Art

We have tickets for Nov. 22.

When we were in Denmark for the temple dedication, we saw a few of the originals there. Another interesting story is that the man who painted the mural on the temple baptistry wall was invited to do so by President Hinckley who told him to paint it in the Carl Bloch style. When the mural was finished, the artist had painted himself as a blind man being led into the waters of baptism by Bloch. He also featured many of the past famous folks from Denmark seeking baptism. It is quite a wonderful mural.

PROVO -- After nearly nine years in the planning, curators at Brigham Young University are about to open an exhibit they are calling a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors: "Carl Bloch:The Master's Hand."

After years of planning and negotiating with Danish museums and churches, the priceless paintings -- national treasures -- traveled by air during an international terror alert late last week. Still, they arrived safely and will remain in Utah for six months.

The finest artwork of a great painter, Carl Bloch -- that is what visitors to the Museum of Art are about to experience. The largest pieces came from Danish churches, removed temporarily from the most sacred areas where parishioners receive communion. The request was unusual; agreeing to it, equally so.

Dawn Pheysey, curator of religious art at the Museum of Art, said, "But to ask the churches to let us borrow their altar paintings, which is the focal point of their church, was a true sacrifice on their part."

Bloch's subtle creation of lamplight or sunlight moves even those familiar with the works.

Pauline Lehmann Banke, the conservator from Denmark, said she worked one particular painting before all of the paintings came here, and she became very fond of it. Then she saw the larger one.

"I had just recently restored the smaller version of it, and to see the larger one, as I did two weeks before I left, wow!" she said.

That is what curators believe many will say when they see "Christ in Gethsemane."

Carl Bloch was an Evangelical Lutheran but Latter-day Saints are familiar with his works because reproductions hang in their meetinghouses and appear in Church publications.

"To see these altar paintings in their true size, see the real thing, there is nothing like it. They are amazing," Pheysey said.

No one was unimportant to Carl Bloch. A Danish writer said of him, "He dipped his paintbrush in his heart."

The Museum of Art, which is on campus at Brigham Young University, will have extended hours for this exhibit. It is free, but you have to register online for tickets.

Chaos

So....big news. The Lord has taken me out of my first area a little abruptly and rather quickly. On Tuesday night I got a call from the APs and they said the following: Elder Bolton, there are some problems in other parts of Nicaragua and the Lord has spoken to the Mission President and says that you need to be in Managua, pack your bags and be ready to leave tomorrow at noon (you have emergency changes). That was a little abrupt.

 

I got to Managua all by myself, took a taxi to a little place called La Primavera (the spring) and met my companion and my district. They are fantastic! My new comp's name is Elder Stratton. He's from Snowflake, AZ. We are working hard together in this very interesting area. I'm in another Branch out here and on Sunday the branch president asked us to be his counselors as I help him organize the branch a little bit more and help have more unity between Branch and missionaries.

 

Teaching, finding new investigators, everything here is new to me. The people here in Managua are hard-hearted, but not solid as rock. We can still penetrate the hearts of this people. I have found success as I have tried to show a Christ-like example for the people here. Sure it may be VERY different, but I know that I can adapt. I am so happy to have the opportunity to apply a lot of what I have learned and haven't been able to practice out in Puerto. Also, I love that here I live IN my area and that there are just 2 of us instead of 6. I actually have the opportunity to STUDY. Wow...  Hahahaha.

 

It is so interesting how the Lord puts His hands in our lives. I think that He knew that taking me out of Puerto would be like ripping a band-aid off of a wound. It would hurt, but if He did it fast it would be better for the wound (my area) and the bandage would have served its purpose (me). Sure, it is difficult to leave my son, my first area and the amazing zone that I was in to come here, yet it is very evident that the Lord needs my influence here. I have been prepared for situations like this.

 

I have found solace in reading my patriarchal blessing this week. It helped me to remember that the Lord has said that He'll guide me but that I need to trust in Him.

 

Well, I gotta go, but I love you all so much. Stay strong and pray lots.

 

Love,

Elder Braden Bolton

Re: Hello from the OLD Grammy!

Oh my goodness! I thought you were turning 69 this year...talk about a year off. How exciting to be 70 (although we both know that you don't look at all like you're OLD). ;) Christmas is not too far away! How exciting Grandma! Don't worry about your age mainly because the saying is true...

Halloween Cards. I am so excited to receive the card from you. As soon as it comes in the mail I will let you know, so have patience because central american mail systems are rather slow (I honestly believe that if they introduced the Pony Express here the nation would be benefitted).

Kirsten had let me know in February that they were planning on taking you down to Disney again. So, yes, but I have known for a while. :) But how was it? Did you enjoy your trip? Did the kids rip ALL of your hair out this time? Hahaha.

My advice with Rachel: tell her to cook while you play with the dolls. See how she likes that idea. Hahaha. She is such a goofy girl.

Thanks for all of your prayers and for thinking about me. I can feel your love all the way down here. It makes a huge difference knowing that there are so many people rooting for me in this battle that I'm waging down here.

I did get the snail-mail letter. I loved it so much. I love it when Grandpa shares his mission stories with me. They mean so much more to me now that I have had similar experiences...

Love you lots,

Elder Braden Bolton

On Tue, Oct 26, 2010 at 1:34 AM, Myrna TRAUNTVEIN wrote:

I don't want to seem obsessed with this, but I suppose I am. I will be the BIG 70 in December! So while you are celebrating Christmas Eve there in your mission, I will be celebrating getting OLD. Just be warned, young Elder, that it happens much more quickly than you would suspect. There you are, knowing that with any luck (blessing) at all, you will likely triple your life. Can you imagine how old even doubling 70 would be (140). NO ONE today lives to be that old. Oh, well. I suppose that means that things that I have been procrastinating should be done now and not tomorrow or the next day. 

I hope that you receive your Halloween card. After I got them made (and sent them), I thought they were kind of dumb. Too late, they were mailed and on their way. I hope you can find a place to spend a couple of American dollars. Let me know how that goes. I will send your comp a Thanksgiving card but Halloween seemed sort of un-missionary except for a grandson who already knows I am nuts. I know that in most places in the US Halloween is just playful pumpkins and friendly ghosts. Hmm, I don't know about that. Rethinking, rethinking. . .we have Halloween Town in Nephi this year. There was a contest to see who could make the best decorations out of all the businesses along Main Street. Some are fairly gruesome. There are stakes through the center of dummies and refrigerators sitting on top of other dummies. The fire department/EMT station put a wreaked car in front of the building with a bleeding, headless "person" hanging out of the side door. They posted a sign: "Don't text and drive; don't talk on a cell phone and drive; don't drink and drive." The Times-News has a humongous spider crawling up the front. So maybe Halloween. . .

Did Kirsten and Jared let you know that they took us, along with their family, to Disney World. We had lots of fun, got tired out and, after four days of fun and frolic, came home. You know me, I do not like rides like roller coasters. Therefore, little Jake, who is too young, and sometimes Ryan, who is just 48-inches tall, did the little kid things together. I enjoyed those kid rides. They are, after all, just my style. You cannot believe how excited little Jake was to see Mickey Mouse.  He ran up and gave him a big hug and then he got in line to wait his turn to get his photo taken with him. Mickey gave him a BIG hug when he got back to him and he was a happy boy! 

Rachel stayed overnight with us on Thursday (we are having our temple break so that it can be cleaned) and I spent most of the day playing with her. When we were taking her back home, Gramps asked if she had had fun. "Not really," she said. "I thought we had fun playing dolls," I said. "Not really, you just kept stopping to work." (I fixed lunch and treats and Gramps fixed breakfast "Awful Waffles.") "I just wanted to feed you," I said. "Well, I just wanted to play dolls." So next time, I will not feed her? 

Jim has just been called to be in the ward Young Men's Presidency. He will be over Adventurers. Julie will continue on being Cubmaster. She says that, when Jim was called to the YM, she was told she would be released. However, seven people turned the job down. "The eighth person accepted. That was me," she said. 

I'm afraid that this is getting too long for you to have time to read so I will close. Gramps and I are fine. We pray for you several times each day and keep your name on the prayer roll at Manti Temple. We have great faith in you and know that you will be a great missionary for our Heavenly Father and our Savior. We so enjoy your letters. (Could you sneak in a sentence on whether or not you ever got Gramps snail-mail letter?) 

WE LOVE YOU! 

Grammy and Gramps