End Of School, Beginning Of Summer

Hi Elder Penrod,

How was your week? How are you and your companion doing? Are you surviving the service? 

We had Stake Conference this last Sunday. It was really good. Both Dad and I sang in the choir and the kids sat in the balcony. They saw your mission pics. I guess they didn't get the new ones I sent them because they used the same ones as last time.

President Arrington hit the topic of ministering really hard. He talked about the covenants we made at baptism and how we made a covenant to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. We have been more lackadaisical as a stake in how we minister to each other. I think that we took the advice that ministering doesn't mean a home visit, a hello counts. But, at conference, Pres. Amington stated that a home visit is the least we can do. We should be doing more to connect and reach out to our families we are assigned as well as those in our close proximity that may not be members. I have always had a hard time reaching out to neighbors, it always feels really unnatural for me and out of my comfort zone. But I am going to make it a goal to do better.

I was also really impressed by just one simple line from one of the sisters that spoke. She was talking about how we all have flaws and shortcomings and how our Savior was a Savior of second chances. The thing that stood out to me most when she was talking about this was she stated 'We need to be like our Savior and offer second chances to our neighbors and those around us. Sometimes we are quick to judge or say that maybe our "personalities" don't match so we can't be friends but that is not what the Savior taught us." I think that happens so frequently, we had an encounter with someone and maybe it wasn't their most shining moment but we label them as unfriendly, unorganized, unkind, unclassy, etc. and are quick to keep our distance because they don't align with that we envision a friend or neighbor is. But if we were to change that gut instinct and find ways to serve that individual, how would that change our relationship with them and our relationship with our Savior?

Dad has been working hard on the house, he has 3 boards of siding up. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it is so exciting to me and the things he has to do to get up just one board (measuring, aligning, and cutting just right) it has really made me appreciate those construction workers that do it day in and day out. He is hoping to get more done this weekend but it looks like it is going to be quite rainy, haha. Beth's trampoline on Memorial Day. We will see what happens. He is also planning on burying

Cameron gave me a bit of a scare when his grades were really low (especially in Physics 19%）.But he worked

really hard over the weekend and now he has a B in Physics and nothing less than a C in his other classes. He is also helping Scot to pick out parts for a new computer (our computer upstairs died). Scot will help him build it, so that will be fun and exciting for him.

Beth is wanting to start a YouTube channel. I haven't made up my mind on tat one yet. I tink there are benefits to having an outlet to express yourself but some people are really mean with the anonymity of the internet. She wants to make animations with her friend Liberty. We will see, I still need to look more into it to decide, haha.

Curtis is just enjoying a very relaxing week. You probably remember the last week of school for high schoolers.

Yesterday he had several teachers tell him that they would be ok if he didn't show up to class.

Today is graduation so there is no school since all the teachers will be at the graduation. And then Wednesday I think most teachers are planning on a full day interestingly. Thursday is yearbook signing with the day unofficially ending at lunch time. Friday is also supposed to be a school day but Curtis was saying he doesn't think even the teachers will be there, haha.

Dad took me to see Andrea Bocelli last week. It was a bit crazy trying to fit it into the already busy schedule of life but we got there. It was my mother's day gift and I really enjoyed it. They sang a lot of Opera Arias that are just amazing. At one point though, Dad was like, I hope they sing something in English soon, haha. It was a really great concert, 1 thoroughly enjoyed going. I may have been bingeing on some of his songs since then, haha.

Well I think that covers our week. I hope that you have a good week. I am excited to hear from you and see your face this afternoon. I hope all is going well and that you are really enjoying the service, even though there is a lot of it, haha. I am proud of you and I am thankful I get to hear all about you are growing and learning new things with this call to serve. 

Love you tons bud! 

Love, 

Mom