Epistle to the Loganites

 Epistle to the Loganites

Each month the Thompson family joins together on Zoom and studies the “Come Follow Me” lesson for the week. We each take turns leading the discussion. Currently, we are studying the epistles from Paul found in 1 Corinthians. Mark invited us to write an epistle to a family member and explain how they emulate Christ in their lives. Here is my epistle. Just as Paul picked a location, I thought I would do the same.

What Dad, Mom and Mark have taught me as they follow Christ.

When I think of the examples of those who live at 483 West 400 North, various Christlike qualities are evident!

This experience plays over and over in my mind as I strive to be loving in my reactions to my family members. When I was in high school, one evening I pulled out of our driveway and backed into Craig Aston’s pick-up truck parked on the other side of the street. My actions left a large dent. I was so embarrassed and worried about the responses I would get. I went in and told Dad about the situation. He calmly told me that he would go talk with Craig and we would work it out. He handled it from there and didn’t make me feel stupid or incompetent. I felt loved and protected at that moment and have felt the same throughout my life.

Doing good, lifting where she stands and being diligent are some words to describe Mom. I’m not sure Mom has ever forgotten a birthday, if she has she is quick to make amends. She is consistent in delivering birthday greetings, in celebrating accomplishments, and in providing temple work for ancestors.  She keeps us connected as a family with her efforts. It’s something I don’t for granted anymore. Each time I receive a birthday card written with love and print a temple card, I am grateful for her presence in my life.

Mark stopped me last time I was in Logan to recite Martin Luther King’Jr’s speech. I don’t think I had ever taken the time to listen to his speech. It was motivating to hear Mark recite the speech and also inspiring to hear the content. Mark demonstrates a great desire to obtain knowledge. I have taken his example of goal setting and applied them to my own personal study habits. This past year I made good improvement towards being more consistent in studying and am on track to finish all four standard works by the end of the year! Also, I have always had an interest in geography. Following Mark’s appetite to learn, I can now identify all the countries, their capitals and their flags.

 

BYU Bound

On Wednesday, Matthew and I took the journey to Provo to drop him off so that he might start school at BYU. He was excited and nervous at the same time which I suppose is the case for all incoming freshman.  We met Camille, Jonathan and their family on campus and dined at the Wilkinson Center at Chick-fil-a. We arranged to meet up with cousin Audrey as she was also in Provo dropping off her son, Owen. Matthew is staying at the King Henry apartments with roommates who are all new to him. Clara Thompson is also on campus this semester. She is hoping to get admitted to the nursing program. 

Meeting the Wrights on campus

New apartment bedroom

Saying goodbye from his apartment porch

Before dropping Matthew off, we had visitors from New Jersey. Allan and his three oldest children flew to Utah and they made the rounds to Boise, Rexburg, Logan, Bountiful and Kaysville. While they were here, we attended church together, drove to Cave Falls, Mesa Falls and then had a hot dog roast at Warm River. They had such a good time playing in our backyard and playing in the water at Warm River. It was fun giving them a taste of Idaho. Allan left Marta and their new twins in Jersey City. Two little boys joined their family on July 13t. They were very healthy and basically full term. Their names are Connor and Matteo. 

My mom also traveled with Allan’s family. Dad stayed home as packing and traveling can be wearing on his 86 year old body. My parents are getting older. They don’t get around like they used to. My mom’s knees are wearing and making it difficult to walk and my Dad seems to be slower too. It’s sad to think about but i surely am grateful they have been with us 80+ years.

Cave Falls is just barely inside the boundaries of Yellowstone

Cave Falls

Picking wild raspberries at Mesa Falls

Mesa Falls

While we had visitors, we celebrated Cady’s 25th birthday. I made Chicken Curry, Pear Salad and Texas Sheetcake. 

Matthew Home Again

At the end of his senior year, Matthew was called to serve a mission to Sydney, Australia. He had so much excitement to serve and we were all excited for him to share the gospel in the same country where my Dad served his mission. When it was time for Matthew to leave, Australia's borders still closed from the COVID pandemic. They were one of the last countries to open up. Matthew received a temporary call to the Charlotte North Carolina mission. Again it was special call since my parents served their senior mission in the same mission. He spent about 8 months in North Carolina and then flew to Sydney. Both experiences were a tremendous growing experience for Matthew in the gospel and also as an individual. It has been so great having him home. He has been working and then spending his nights trying to plan his future. He says that his mission taught him to plan his days, months and lifelong goals. I loved his last letter that he sent to his family and friends before his return home. Here are his words and testimony:

“This is my last week as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The most humbling experience I have had in my lifetime and I am eternally grateful. Serving a mission is not an easy thing, and people know that, but the thing that I wish i could help youth in the church understand is that serving a mission changes the course and perspective of life. You go from being focused on what you are and where you are going in high school to, how can I help every person I talk to today feel the light of christ in their lives. It's all about serving the people around you and seeing their progression! Missions are a daunting thing!! But if I'm being honest as I've realized in the last couple weeks, life is even more daunting!! And what better way to give ourselves a head start in life than serving Jesus Christ fully. Not being worried about yourself but those around you.”

The originals: Matthew, Catherine, Kirsten, Julie, David, Sarah. Camille, and Spencer

Our growing family: Caleb, Catherine, Matthew, Spencer, Adelyn, Kirsten, Sarah, Poppy, Lottie, Julie, David, Camille, Lincoln, Heidi and Jonathan. (Missing Ben, William and Eleanor)

More family who attended: Sara Jane, Mary, Anna, Scott, Clara,  Grandma and Grandpa Thompson and in the front Hannah and Peter.

At Idaho Falls Airport

Friends who welcomed Matthew home: Landon Drake, Dylan Lewis, Mike, Julie and Tanner Severn

School Begins 2023

School started at Madison this week. Dave is on his 29th year of teaching. We have been at Madison for about 24 years and after all that time we finally have all the music filed away in a very orderly manner. It took two weeks of sorting and purging but we finished the day before Dave had a faculty meeting in his room. Dave made a big pile of music to discard or as the district says “put it in surplus”, we emptied all of the files then reorganized them, and we put away many, many pieces of music. It was a huge project and at times it felt as if we would never finish. The efforts we made will make a big difference for Dave. He will spend much less time looking for music. Things will be much easier to find because there is significant less clutter. It’s a big improvement! 

Lincoln started 1st grade on Monday. When Camille talked to his teacher today, she said Lincoln has so much imagination. It’s true, he does like to find opportunity to put himself in an adventure, or pretend to be an animal or get lost in time. He has yet to understand the concept of being late. Camille is trying to teach him that it is to everyone’s benefit when he arrives on time to school. 

I have been doing yoga each morning. I started after I visited the doctor about my back. Each morning I would wake up to a lot of back pain. He suggested either doing exercises or getting an MRI. I chose the first and it has made a huge difference!