Computer Question for Todd

Myrna wrote: Do you think that Dad could learn to use a Dell or other type of laptop that is not a Mac. I didn't have trouble with the HP when I worked at the Herald. There were just a couple of things that I had to do differently. Once in a while, I would go "Rats!" but not too often. He is not really into computers, as you know, but he would like to do some genealogy and I am always using it. Usually, word processing is word processing. Of course, email is email. I cannot afford to get him a Mac. Let me know what you think. You are the only person I have asked. Love you, Mom

Todd wrote: Yes. He would be able to use them. The Family History is all on line now, so if he can use a browser, he can do the family history.

Myrna wrote: Ok. I'll start looking around for a good price. Thanks. I do love and appreciate you.

To Michael

In his letter, Ben said he had seen you. I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time. 

We would like your box number for the MTC if you would share it. It would be really nice to send a card or do something for you. For example, if you will tell us your size, we could get you a couple of T-shirts and have them delivered to you. That might be faster than having your folks do it. In the OLD days, you could just go to the MTC and drop off whatever you wanted delivered at the front desk. :)

On Tuesday, I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps

To Ben

You didn't say whether or not you had much of a chance to talk to Michael or not. Hopefully, you got to say more than "hi" and "bye." I think that is great--two cousins in the MTC at the same time. 

It is great to learn that you "did a lot of studying, and have been eagerly trying to complete a task in Preach My Gospel." It sounds like a good use of time and effort. I think I should try that myself.

 

Tuesday sounds like it was wonderful for you. Thanks for sharing Elder Neil L. Anderson's nine things that he said President Monson would say if he had been there.

On Tuesday, my day was not so great. I found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. That has been a difficult idea to accept. I am on a sugar ban for 10 days. I will take a class in just a few days that will help me know how to live for the rest of my life. I will be allowed "good" carbs and will not be allowed "bad" carbs. I can eat all the veggies I want. There are starchy vegetables that turn into sugar and so they are out. What fun. I am 71-years old. You would think I could have made it just a few more years before this, right? ;)

We had a really good couple of days at the temple on Friday and Saturday. We were as busy as could be. That is always wonderful when so many people come to the temple. We had large sessions as well as lots of weddings and sealings of living families. Many times the temple is crowded all day but the sessions are small because all of the people are just coming to view the weddings. A goodly number of them also want to see the spiral staircase which means they have to be guided in small groups and that takes more of us in order to accomodate. I love the temple. I love working there.

We had another missionary homecoming today. It is different here in our ward with our new bishop. He does not assign a topic but tells the returned missionary to speak about their mission, not in an traveloge style, but in a faith-building manner. This missionary did an excellent job of that. He told us how he had learned to listen to the spirit and used several examples.

One of the nice things about serving in the states was that several of his missionary companions and a convert family were able to be there for his homecoming. The family still lives in Texas but the missionary comps are at BYU.

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School today. Our instructor, Paul Sutorius, is a retired seminary principal. He was telling us that as we read about Moroni in Alma 46 we should remember that we are being told about a covenant people who are making and keeping sacred covenants. I suppose having been to the same class yourself, you also were given the understanding of the direct association of the Joseph of Egypt story when his brothers, who had sold him, rent his coat. Moroni's rent garment is clearly symbolic of Joseph's coat, which was "rent by his brethren into many pieces" (Alma 46:23).

Bro. Sutorius told us that :"The rent coat or garment was an essential part of Moroni's covenant of liberty. Moroni rent his coat and rallied the people; then the people rent their garments 'in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments' (Alma 46:21)."

Many of the wars between peoples through the ages have been, and still are today, over "dirt," he said. So it was in the times of Moroni. In order for the Nephites to take care of their families, and keep the covenants which they had made, they needed dirt. They needed a place of their own to grow crops. Even today, the church will not build a temple or a chapel on leased ground. The church must own the ground the building stands on. Just as the Mormon pioneers located in the West, away from the problems of the East, so they could keep their covenants, so did Moroni recognize the need for his people to have a place of freedom where they owned the dirt.

Bro. Sutorius built a huge flag pole in his front yard. He flys the American flag and a BYU pennant. He played football for BYU.

We will continue to pray for you and ask Heavenly Father to bless you and help you to learn the language easily and well. We do love you!

Grammy and Gramps

Mailing

Just an FYI for you select "lucky" people. You will receive a mailing from Emily asking you to order magazines for her school. Just ignore and throw in the trash. It is required that we send to 7 people and I really don't care about any orders. So when you see it in the mail in about a month, toss it in your "round file". Thanks! Amy Myrna wrote: Thanks for all you do. You are great. Thanks also for Michael's address. We love you!

The two Elder's MTC Addresses

Eva wrote: Myrna, Thank you so much. I looks like Ben leaves there on Sept 19; Michael's does not dy when he goes Also, thank you so much for sharing their emails. See you Wednesdayl love, Eva Myrna wrote: here are the addresses. Elder Michael Trauntvein MTC PO Box #312 CA-ARC 1023 Provo, Utah 84604 Elder Benjamin Bolton MTC #315 CA-FRE 0919 2005 North 900 East Provo, Utah 84604 Myrna wrote: You are welcome! I also did not mention that we are continuing to pray for Richard and are glad to have any news about him. Thanks, M

From Eva

Myrna, do you have Ben  and Michael's mail addresses for the MTC.  I am writing to all my missionaries and would like to send them a copy also.  it sounds like they are both doing pretty well.

Richard goes back to the hospital Thursday for five more days of chemo.  We  are both grateful for all of your prayers; we are both blessed with peace. My heart hurts so for him. I am so grateful for his friends who are taking care of him.

Have a good week.  Love you,  Eva

Oh, we went to a baby shower for JD & Angie's baby that is due in October.  Rafael and Meghan are also expecting a baby in January. That will be 12 for me; between the new in-law spouses and babies my family is really growing.    

God bless.  Eva