9-09-07

Hey Brad:

How are you doing? I hope very well! You seemed pretty good on the phone today and I was so happy to be able to talk to you. I think we'll be pretty lucky if we get to talk on the phone again tomorrow, but a girl can dream. Anyway, I have a joke for you:

“What did one snow man say to the other?”
“Smells like carrots...”

I'm so glad that if you are reading this then it means that you got to go to church! Don't let your Drill Sargent talk you out of it, because you need to be uplifted and have that dose of the Spirit every week. I got a letter from you yesterday after we talked asking for more conference talks, and I actually forgot that I had sent you that one. But I'm so glad that I did send it and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I will try to send you a variety of things like that along with my letters so that you have some good literature.

I got an email yesterday about supporting the troops and I thought it was very good. Keep in mind that at first it seems anti-war, but it isn't. Also, that there were lots of pictures and the text was all colorful, but I'm just sending you the text of the email:

“A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Iraq?” A mother asked President Clinton, “Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?” A mother asked President Bush, “Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?” Another mother asked President Johnson, “Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?” Another mother asked President Truman, “Why did my son have to die in Korea?” Another mother asked President Roosevelt, “Why did my son have to die in Iwo Jima?” Another mother asked President Wilson, “Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?” Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, “Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?” And yet another mother asked President Washington, “Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?” Then long, long ago, a mother asked, “Heavenly Father. Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?” The answer is the same, “So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.” If you are not willing to stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them!”

Well, I need to go to bed, but I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you are the head of our family. I know that we have a great life ahead of us with the Lord by our side. I wanted to share a quick experience that we had with Jane today during family prayer. We have been trying to have family prayer every night right before Jane goes to bed since her bed time is a little more predictable than Maren's. Anyway, Jane is getting really good at folding her arms for prayers and she sits there pretty quietly most of the time. Tonight, as soon as she could tell we were praying she got so happy and calm. We were all kneeling and she was standing with her arms folded. While I was saying the prayer I would add extra emphasis to the words that she knew like “Please bless DADDY and MAREN.” and “We're grateful for GRANDY and GRANDPA PAUL, DOGGIES, and DADDY.” And she would repeat each word that I emphasized. Again, she was all smiles the whole time, but still pretty reverent. Then at the end (and sometimes right in the middle) she threw her hands up in the air and says, “'MEN!” Then she leans toward you and is ready for kisses. It is one of the most precious things I have seen and I can't wait until we can hold our family prayers again. Take comfort in knowing that we are doing so well and that we love you more than anything!

Love-Jess, Jane, and Maren