A Family Fast

Dearest Children

I think this Sunday, September 2, is probably Fast Day for most of us. We wondered if you would include dad and I in your Fasting and prayers in regards to him getting a job. We have had some disappointments these past couple of weeks and want to unite our faith as a family in this regard. We know Heavenly Father loves us and is watching over us. We know that all things can be for our good and we hope we are learning what we need to from this trial.

Thank you. We surely love all of you.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Great Letters to Max

Thanks for all your wonderful letters to Max. I loved and appreciated ALL of them and I'm sorry I didn't comment individually.  Here is a quote by M. Russell Ballard expressing how I feel:

"The most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth."

Week 23 - Max - We came...we saw...we preached

Hola familia!! :) How are you all?!

I want to start off by telling each and every one of you how much I appreciate your support and your letters. I know these letter that I send dont quite say it enough but thank you so much for your support and your examples! I love you all so much! :) 

Well....this week was ROUGH but GREAT!!!! We have seen so many miracles and we have felt the Lords hands helping us and guiding us to where we need to go. For those of you that dont know, we had a goal this week to find 555 plus new investigators (7 per companionship)!!!! We prepped and prepped to be able to do it. And this week, we received a message from President last night saying that we have found 558 new investigators!! We have completed the goal! Elder Rojas and I found 10 total this week which was our personal goal! :) As I said, I know the Lord has been watching over us and directing us where we need to go!

one miracle that happened wasnt even with a new investigator, but with a less active member that one of the members had told us about. We searched for the street, but it was small and super hard to find. After a while of searching, we found it, but we had that it was number 5 building....but there was no number 5 to be found, only a number 2. We were super confused and super frustrated just because we had searched and searched. So we went up to number 2 building to try that. But the piso number we had was 2,3 and there was no 2,3.....ugh...there was no way this was the building....but I decided may as well just ask someone if they know who Antonia (the less active members name) was. I pushed 2,C. A lady answered and immediately I asked, "hola Antionia?" "Si, soy yo.." IT WAS HER!!!! It was so awesome! We went in and shared a message with her. She told us that lately she has been super frustrated and confused and has been praying. She knows that the Lord sent us when He did! At the end of the lesson, she ended up giving us a reference of her niece. We havent visited the niece yet but plan to this week! :) 

Miracles like that probably dont sound like much, but they really are so great and such a blessing! :) I know the Lord is watching over us as missionaries :) I am so grateful to be a rep of Jesus Christ.

Which leads me to the scripture that I wanted to share this week. Mosiah chptr 5. I love all of the chapter because it talks about the importance of taking upon us covenants and taking upon us the name of Christ. We have entered a convenant and are born again in Christ. Therefore, only through Him we are free. We hold the sacred name of Christ with us wherever we go. And like verse 12 says, its important to always have that name written on our hearts! And as we do, we will go about doing good works so that He can seal us His.

Answers to questions

- The best way to find my apartment on google maps, I think is by searching for the chapel in Cordoba. Behind the chapel, a couple of streets up, you will see a little street called Doctor Barraquer, that is the piso. I doubt that you can see it in street view though.

- Yeah, the branch president and almost all of the leaders live super far away and so it is super hard to work with them. I am trying my best to be positive with all of that, but it is super hard. you can only do so much by yourself....you really NEED leaders from the ward to help out!

- Tempuratures continue to rage!!!! Aldo told us it got up to 51 the other day. I didnt see it, but I sure believe it! haha It is hot!

- I have not received the package yet, but this week I am heading to Malaga while Elder Rojas goes to a District Leader Conference in the mission home! I am so pumped to go back to my old area!! :) But there in the mission home, Elder Rojas will get my package and bring it back! :) FINALLY!! Haha

- Elder Rojas is from Peru. He is a good man. We hve very different personalities but we are trying our best to get along and work well together. He likes to joke around...but they are sometimes the type of jokes that never end...where he wont tell you if he is kidding or not. haha Its....funny sometimes. I have learned a lot of patience from him though. he is kind of a care free guy and just kind of does whatever...which I am trying to work with. 

I dont want to sound negative at all though because he is a good man. I do like working with him! He has been a member all of his life. 

Something funny that happened was when we had lunch this week, he made me rice with tuna and lemons, with banana milk. As I was eating, he freaked out and realized that I was eating fish, lemons, and milk, and that I was going to die. I thought he was kidding at first, but he was dead serious! haha I guess that combination is killer.

Well I better sign off now. We are heading to Mercadona to do some shopping and then have a birthday party of a member to go to! I am pretty excited as there will be pizza! :)

Thank you all again for your wonderful examples and your support! I love you all so much!

I am loving life!

A vencer!   

Love you all!

Love, Elder Bassett

Week 23 - Warner - some clever subject in a romantic language

Elder Bassett-

I was trying to think of a good subject line for you and all that came into my head was a song that I learned in my Spanish class when I was a freshman in high school.  Not very appropriate for a missionary but maybe I'll share it with you when you get home.  It's weird not having to start school again this fall.  I was in school for the last nine and a half years and now I'm just working.  It feels like I need to be back in school, but I'm so happy I graduated and I know Janey is too.  

Two weeks ago we had a stake YM/YW activity.  They played some water games like capture the flag with some sprinklers on and some soccer game.  At the end they had a massive water balloon fight.  It looked pretty fun.  One of my boys in the teacher's quorum came with his brother.  They both just moved into the ward and so they don't know many kids in the ward but they came anyway.  The older one that is in the teacher's quorum grabbed the opposing team's flag and took off toward his side to win that round.  He got to the mid line and dove in the air to avoid being tagged.  He came down hard and landed on his shoulder.  He said he heard a pop and laid there on the ground writhing in pain.  There were some other stake leaders attending to him when I got up to him and they said that he told them he felt pain near his shoulder where is collar bone was.  I took a look and knew that it was broken.  We called his mom to come get him and told her he had a possible break.  They got it x-rayed and it sure was broken.  Poor kid.  He's doing fine and slowly healing.  He even came to last weeks activity.  The teacher's quorum played wiffle ball and he participated as much as he could and seemed to do well.  I've got to remember to remind him to take it easy.  I know what it's like.  About three years ago I broke my collar bone and it was very painful.  Not a fun experience at all.

During the wiffle ball game we took a time out and I told the boys to write to the two missionaries that are serving from our ward.  One is in the Mexico City MTC learning Spanish.  He is going to serve in the Washington Kennewick mission.  That's the city I grew up in.  The other missionary is in the Provo MTC and he is going to serve in the Philippines.  He's learning Tagalog which is an Asian language which has some Spanish influence.  It's kind of an interesting language.  

Yesterday Janey cut my hair.  For some reason I don't really like sitting and getting my hair cut.  You can ask her.  She finds it pretty funny but mostly frustrating.  She does a really great job and I'm thankful that she took the time to learn.  It saves us like $15 per time or however much hair cuts cost now days.  I don't think I've ever paid for a hair cut.  My mom always cut our hair growing up, or my brother's would do it.  I'm starting to grow a bunch of gray hairs and so Janey likes to dye my hair.  I told her that if she wanted me to act more my age she'd just let me grow the grays out.  She didn't like that idea much and dyed it for my anyway.  Just some fun random stuff you can read about.

Continue working hard and loving the work.  It's fun to read your letters and learn about the adventures and amazing things that are happening in Spain as it pertains to the gospel.  Stay safe and continue to be obedient.  I know God lives and He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us so that we may all live.  I'm so thankful for the Atonement and after I finish reading the Old Testament I want to make the Atonement the first topic that I really study well in my personal study.  I know that the better I understand it the better I will love it and allow it to bless my life. 

En avant,

Warner

Week 23 - Mom

Dear Max,

First I need to clear something up.  You made a comment in last week's letter that the hardest thing to read was that all the family ate hot Cheetos.  Not sure who said that but, for the record, I did not partake.  I do not eat hot Cheetos.  In fact when I see hot Cheetos I still think of you at a sophomore football practice where you over-exerted and they all came up!  Yuck!!!  So no need to be jealous of me.  I did, however, polish off a big bag of Clover Club BBQ potato chips this past week and they were delicious!

It's been a good last week of summer.  I say "last week" since I start back working at my job tomorrow morning.  I will work on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays every week.  It's funny but I am just a bit nervous about going back.  I hope I can remember everything.  And the real bummer is that I caught an awful cold a couple days ago and I have been coughing like crazy.  Dang.  I was so healthy all summer and now this!  But I will persevere.

It was so fun to be with Easton's family on Sunday and Monday.  They arrived around 9 pm and I felt so bad when I learned they had stopped just up the road at Panda for dinner since they couldn't find anything else open.  I could have fed them here if I had known.  Larry and Nicole slept in your room, Noah was on the sofa downstairs and Easton was up in Janey's room.  On Monday morning I cooked sausage and made cottage cheese pancakes and we had juice and fruit. They took off mid morning but it was fun to just casually chat with them.  Then on Wednesday dad and I met them in American Fork at Zupas and they treated us to dinner.  We stayed until the restaurant closed and chatted the night away.  They are just so easy to talk to.  I have to say that meal tasted super good since I had been fasting all day regarding counselors for RS.  I don't know when the Lobster Bisque has ever tasted so delicious!  Easton has a lot of both her mom and dad in her.  Every now and then Larry would say something that would remind me exactly of Easton.

Beatrice and Scott's wedding was a big part of the week.  We went to a nice wedding dinner on Monday night and then they were married on Tuesday early afternoon in the Bountiful Temple by her grandpa Nash.  It was a great day.  Janey and I stayed and did a session and then went to the reception that evening.  All her little nieces looked so adorable in matching dresses with these little flower bouquets.  And Beatrice looked really beautiful and happy.  The grooms cake was made to look like a golf course so Scott must be an avid golfer!

Dad and I tended Gwen, Ben and Ivy on Friday night.  I had so much fun setting up marble works with them.  We did races and the kids seemed to like it almost as much as I do.  I love marble works!  We ate pizza and dad watched Iron Giant with them.  Ben thought it was a little too scary!

Our Jordan North Stake conference was this weekend.  It was fun to sit next to dad, and to have him so relaxed.  The theme was missionary work and the Swains spoke (mission pres). I love them.  Sister Swain gave a talk on how to prepare children for missions.  Imagine grandma Bassett giving a talk like that and just laying it on the line with specific things like teaching them to take care of their bodies and use the correct names of body parts.  She went on to tell how a missionary from their previous mission did not know what a bowel movement was.  Anyway, it was a great talk, and very entertaining, as she got to the nitty gritty.  She talked about sending a first aid kit with plenty of drugs.  It made me wonder if you ever use any of the stuff we put together?  Moms just wonder about stuff like that.

Today dad and I went to conference at our building and watched it on the big screen.  That was not my choice but what dad wanted to do.  The feed only went out once for a couple minutes.  But I personally prefer the stake center - a lot.  Oh and Penny Peterson got released as stake RS pres.  She is such a sweet lady.  She made me cry as she talked about how much she loves reading your letters about how often you express your gratitude for us.  I love Penny!  Our new stake presidency are inspired men and it was a great conference.

So School started on Wednesday.  It's fun to have Margaret at Granger to hear about what is going on.  I guess on the first day they rolled out red carpet and the entrance was thru the front doors where all the teachers lined both sides to greet all the students. Pretty fun.  No real classes were held but there were a bunch a different class meetings where mayor Mike performed a rap.  Sounds kind of crazy.

I was reading my scriptures the other day and came across the first scripture you ever read.  I had made a little notation in my scriptures that in October 2000 you read Helaman 6:9.  It made me miss you!

I'm anxious to hear from you.  We are praying that you can reach your investigator goal.  I was inspired by what I read in the church news his week in an article from the pres of the new CCM in Mexico.

"A mission is a process of obedience training.  When missionaries are obedient to the commandments and the mission rules, they put themselves in a privileged and promised position to receive the blessings of The Lord.  Missionary work is not easy.  There will be tough days marked by tears.  But at the end of your mission, if you have given of yourself in the way the Lord expected, you will weep for joy."

I sure love you.  Your willing service and great attitude brings a sweet spirit into our home and our life.  It is such a privilege to have you serve.  Thank you for your obedience and diligence as a missionary. Our prayers continue daily for you.

Lots of Love,
Mom

PS keep drinking water in that heat!

Week 23 - Janey - End of Summer

Max,

I'm already depressed. The older I get, the faster time goes by, which means that summer has come and gone in a flash! Seriously! When I was a kid and we had summers off, of course I wanted summer to go on forever so I didn't have to go back to school, but I usually didn't mind the change in the season and was anxious to wear my new school clothes. I don't know if it's because  there isn't any "change" that is happening for me now at the end of summer, but I have been getting more and more depressed as the month wears on. The LONG days are quickly getting shorter, and we have been having lots of lightening storms which means...LESS sunshine, which means.....less people days before the official END of summer! Agh, I need to start having kids so I can go to the pool everyday with them instead of having to be trapped in an office all day!!!!!

Okay, so I'm not really depressed, but it is amazing how much I love the long days and the heat! And my love for it grows as the years go on!

I didn't write you last week which means I didn't comment on your letter from the previous week. I couldn't believe your crazy story about the fire. I'm so glad you are safe! I can't believe they had a container of gasoline in their kitchen!  I also loved that in your last letter you mentioned that above everything else, you miss hot cheetos. Seriously?! There is a girl at work who eats those and I always think of you. It's took bad they package them with so much air in them. They aren't heavy to ship over, but it would be tough to send because they are so bulky. Maybe at christmas time we will figure something out!

We just got home from our stake conference. Just like Dad mentioned in his last letter that in their stake there is a huge push for doing missionary work, it's the same in our stake! Our big focus this year in the stake is missionary work and family history work. I walked away from conference with a renewed determination to continue to try to be a good example to the people at work who aren't members/or less active. I've never really worked/associated with people on a regular basis who aren't members of the church, so it's been interesting to try to figure out ways to bring up the gospel. As I have told you before, talking about you in conversation has definitely been a good way to bring up the gospel! I'll continue to try and be a good example and try to bring up the gospel. As for family history work, Warner and I are going to try to do better at indexing. That is currently what Warner is working on.

Beatrice got married this week, so that was fun!  They got married up in the Bountiful temple. After the sealing and pictures, we had about 2 hours to kill before the reception (I didn't want to drive all the way home only to have to turn around) so mom and I did a session. It was really cool because it was 3:00 in the afternoon and the session was totally FULL. It was also fun because we saw Celeste and her husband on the same session. This was the first time I have seen the new temple movie and it was very inspiring and much more dramatic. I hope you get to experience it soon!

For mutual this week we took the YW up to the Salt Lake Cemetery and walked around to a few of the prophets graves and the leaders had prepared a little bio about their lives. When the leader was done with sharing about President Kimball's life, I had to raise my hand and share the story about how grandpa sent Mom's curlers with President Kimball when he was going down to BYU for a devotional. Haha, I love that story. As we walked around to the graves, it was so fun to think of the personal stories that grandpa would tell about the prophets. I felt spoiled that while grandpa was alive, we had a sort of link to the prophets and apostles as he knew them well! I think I sometimes take for granted the blessing it is for us to live so close to the prophets and apostles and to get to see them in person sometimes! 

I am grateful for the gospel and our church leaders. 

It's been a pretty low key weekend (which I love.) I went with Nancy, Kath, and all the yorgy girls wedding dress shopping with Kath. It was so fun to sit there for hours and watch her try on dress after dress and wonder which one she should get. It was also fun to watch the girl next to us try on dresses and get SO excited about each one of them and say that "this" was the dress! Haha, I guess that is something you will never get to experience. :) Nancy then treated us to Smashburger after!

Warner and I are loving life! We always appreciate your positive attitude and wonderful example!

Love, Janey

Week 23 - Nick - School Starts

Dear Max,

This week marked what I would consider a milestone moment in the life of a parent (and especially in the life of a child).  Little Bret started Kindergarten this week.  He's only gone a few days but so far so good.  As you're probably aware he's doing the Chinese immersion program where he has one teacher who teaches a couple of topics in English, and another teacher who teaches topics (mostly math I think) in Chinese.  He's actually really liking it so far.  The drop off the first day had a few tears involved but I was so proud of him for braving his way through it.  I've thought often about Blaine's story and all the hype about the first day and how it put him in a situation as a kid where he didn't even realize he had to go the day after, and the day after that...etc. for another 30 years.  I tried to remind Bret at least a few times that this is the start of a VERY long (life-long in fact) journey.  

Work has been good...(3 hours have passed since I wrote my opening paragraph and it's most certainly time for bed).  So, I'll finished up with two other quick things:

1 - Life is grand but truth be told this has been kind of a rough week for all of us.  Some combination of the family getting back from Salt Lake and getting used to life again, Bret starting school, Bret and Clay being extra emotional and fighting incessantly (I have a whole new appreciation for Dad's side of the infamous 4th of July spanking story), Ned teething, etc. etc.  Just a phase of life where we are trying to settle into a new norm and there are some bumps in the road.  One great thing that has been good (but perhaps also contributed to some of the emotions) has been moving family scripture study up to the morning rather than at night.  The reason I say it may have added some to the chaos is simply because everyone (besides Stef and I) are accustomed to sleeping as long as they wish and not waking up at any consistent time.  We've been having scriptures at 7 am to help us be more consistent and make it a slightly higher priority.  I believe the Lord is blessing us, but I think tired little bodies are slightly more prone to teasing, anger, tears, etc.  Hopefully this week proves a little more successful in that regard.  All of that aside though, things are great.  We love each other, we're striving to do what we should, we're learning and growing, and just trying to carry on carry on, and do it with a smile on our faces.  :)

2 - For the first time ever, I actually won cash yesterday in a running race :).  I did a really fun 31 mile relay with 5 other guys from work.  We each ran about 6 miles total (2 legs each), and ended up coming in 4th overall and 2nd in the mens division.  We won $125 (for the whole team) which I realize isn't really that grand, but we will use it to put towards the next race we'll run in december.  Honestly though, I am probably more sore today than I've been since maybe the Boston Marathon.  I am INCREDIBLY sore.  And what's crazy is that I only ran 6 miles.  The reason why is because my two legs I ran were basically straight down hill, and then straight up hill.  My first leg was 4 miles starting at the C in cedar city and running down the mountain road.  Literally all but maybe 50 yards were straight down.  I was running with my phone (which tracks all my runs) and I set all sorts of new records.  My 5k time was16:37 (avg about a 5:20 min/mil), and my fastest mile was a 5:10 mile.  Truly, the only reason I could do that was the steep decline. Man though my muscles are mad at me today.  The second leg of the race for me was only 2 miles, but a little less than a mile of it was steeper than running from 4100 up to the red water tower (or any hill I can think of around WVC.  Anyway, I'm sure I was doing like a 9 min/mil on that leg of the race.  Either way, it was a fun time, and I really liked the relay because we were done and home before 1 in the afternoon.  It certainly was better than getting stranded in the mountains from last week haha!

We love you Max!! Keep up the great work out there!!

Week 23 - Blaine

Max,

Well, I just pulled myself away from fun family videos to make sure I get a chance to write you before it's time for bed. I have to go to bed early tonight—it's a school night! Yes, my last year of law school begins tomorrow (and yes, I really do need to wake up really early because I have a bunch of reading to do for the first day that I have not finished yet!). Ivy starts pre-school this week too, but the other kids have already started into school—Gwen in 3rd grade and Bentley in Kindergarten. It is crazy how time passes. I can't believe they're already so old or, for that matter, that I'm already almost done with law school. I'm sure it seems like you still have forever left on your mission, but time does fly by and so I am glad you are obviously maximizing everyday since this time of life only comes once. 

We were watching a family video of our 2008 trip to Disneyland. Bentley was a baby with no teeth yet. Gwen was a cute little 3 year old, and Ivy was not even born. We were in a cage of the ferris wheel at California Adventure and Kristi was FREAKING OUT! It was so funny. She had a smile on her face and you could tell she was really embarrassed, but that didn't keep her from screaming uncontrollably every time the wheel moved at all. Anyway, you were in there with us and you were kind of laughing but also understanding and not making fun of her since you could tell she really was afraid. I don't know if you remember that. But it's crazy to look at how we've all grown and changed here five years later. 

Speaking of being afraid, Ivy has long been known as our most fearless child. She jumps into water without thinking, even if we let her stay under long enough to try to scare a little "fear-of-God" into her. Snakes, spiders, creepy crawlies of all kinds don't phase her. Scary movies, bring it on. Food that most kids won't touch—she'll give it a try. Ivy will go on every roller coaster and ride she is tall enough for without complaint and begs to go on ones that she is not yet tall enough for. She impresses people all the time by her fearlessness in front of strangers. (I'm sure I've told you in previous letters about how she became famous among the Baker Botts office by ordering drinks at the bar all by herself at a work party without our knowledge and making friends with people who she yelled at by name to watch her do tricks in the pool.) But today we finally found something she is afraid of. She had volunteered to speak in primary and so we practiced her talk a few times yesterday. She fell asleep working on it (I laid by her for awhile whispering it into her ear). Then this morning she woke up really early and came and woke me up to work on it some more. I could tell she was preoccupied by it but it wasn't until Sacrament Meeting that she started freaking out. She announced she wasn't going to give the talk. She said she was sick and that she was going to go home. She said Ben had to give the talk for her. She said if we made her go up there that she would just stand up and say: "Ladies and Gentlemens: No talk." She was truly and utterly afraid, just like Kristi on the ferris wheel. So the big moment came and Kristi and I were both in the back. All her friends in her class gave the prayers and scriptures and articles of faith. I leaned over to Kristi and said that I really couldn't predict what was about to happen. Ivy is strong willed enough that I have learned that I have very little control over her when she really doesn't want to do something. But I have also learned that she is a good little girl that faces fears that most people have head on. I really could see it going either way. So they called her name, she walked up to the podium with a big smile on her face where she met me, and then . . . She totally froze up and would not say a word or look at the audience at all. I tried to coax her, encourage her, bribe her, help her, but it was useless. Soon Kris was up there too trying to do the same thing but to no avail. She kept her face in her hands and Kristi did a very nice job of delivering the talk we had prepared (which, incidentally is kind of cool in and of itself since Kristi probably also had to really face her fear of public speaking to accomplish that!) Anyway, the whole thing was really funny and interesting and I am trying to figure out how to handle it. Being a parent is so fun and rewarding but it really throws some interesting stuff at you sometimes.   

I've been meaning to tell you about a missionary that spoke in our ward a few weeks ago. Well, he was actually a youth speaker who was preparing for a mission. It was simultaneously really funny and really sad/scary. From the get go, he was very casual about his desire to serve a mission. He kind of said, "yeah, I wasn't really thinking I would go, but lately I've started to have the idea that maybe I should." I guess he eventually told Heavenly Father to give him a sign if he was supposed to go and then the next week he got laid off from his job. So, to his credit, he did take that as a sign and decided he would go. However, even as he was putting in his papers and going through the motions, he was trying to find a new job. He explained, over the pulpit: "I had an interview at this storage facility place doing security. The guy said that they usually pay $12-$15 per hour! So that just blew my mind. I told Heavenly Father that I better not get offered that job if He wants me to go on a mission, because there is no way I'm turning down $15/hour!" He kind of laughed and looked out at the congregation as if he expected that we all knew exactly where he was coming from and would feel exactly the same way if we were in his shoes. 

Anyway, apparently he didn't get the job offer because today they announced that he got his call to Spokane Washington. So on the one hand, I think, good for him. It wasn't easy for him to decide to go. Perhaps his family didn't care or expect him to go. Perhaps his friends aren't going or he has a girlfriend that doesn't want him to go. I don't know, but I'm glad that he is going to go. I have no doubt it will be a blessing in his life and in the life of his future family. But another part of me just feels sad for him and for those who will might have to deal with his lack of commitment. His President, his companions, and most of all, the "electos" that need him to teach them deserve to have somebody who has prepared for this their whole life. Who would not miss the opportunity to go on a mission for fifteen hundred dollars an hour. Hopefully he'll quickly learn and grow into that kind of missionary that the Lord needs him to be, but what a shame that he can't have prepared like that before day one so he could maximize the entire experience. Anyway, I share this with you for a few reasons. First, I am so proud that you were not a wishy-washy pre-missionary at any point and I am positive that you are not a wishy-washy missionary now. You knew that this is what the Lord needed you to do and you prepared accordingly. So thank you, and congratulations for that. Second, I know that you might have to come across people like this as you serve. You may have companions like this or people you will be a district or zone leader over. You may have to work with members who were taught by missionaries like this or who lost some of their fire after interacting with one too many missionaries like this. When this happens as I'm sure it has and will, be patient with them and love them. Not everyone had the background or the family you had. Not everyone was blessed with some of the same spiritual experiences and good leaders and teachers you had. I found that everyone was doing their best. Not everyone was as excited to be there as I was, but they were all there. They had all wanted to go home at various times, but they all toughed it out and learned to cope in their various ways. Sometimes they may have hurt the work or at least not helped it much, but I learned that was not really my problem. I could set an example, express my excitement, but I couldn't pay them the $15/hour that they were missing back at home (or whatever it was that almost kept them from coming). They had to deal with that themselves. All I could really do was just do my best and pray that the Lord would use both these elders and myself, with all of our imperfections, to carry forward His work. 

Another big thing going on this week—I finished my Salt Lake job yesterday and in kind of an unprecedented move, they made me an offer right on the spot during my exit interview (usually they would discuss it and do an offer a few weeks later). They gave me all kinds of great feedback that made me feel really good and then took Kris and me to one of the best dinners I've had at one of the nicest restaurants in the valley. This came on the heels of the people I worked for last summer doing almost the exact same thing two days before (job offer, nice dinner, tons of flattery and how much they hope I will come work for them). And of course, I had the same experience with Baker Botts a couple months ago. So now there are no more surprises. The offers are in and the ball is in our court. We just have to decide what to do. I told mom that as hard as it is to be in this awkward state of not knowing what we are doing, we also want to procrastinate and make this last as long as we can. I am at this weird spot in life where everything is possible. Until I say no to one of these firms, I can dream of having it all. I can dream of growing into a great lawyer with a varied practice doing all kinds of law that I never dreamed of being able to practice with sophisticated clients I would have never dreamed of getting to work for. I can dream of making more money than I ever thought I could. I can dream of working at home with tons of vacation time and money to go on the vacations with. I can dream of having a beautiful office downtown and growing a sophisticated practice right here in Utah, close to family. You name almost any goal I've ever had, and right now I am in a position to go after that goal and have a good chance of achieving it. The only problem, I can't have it all. In a week or two, I will have to turn down two of the three opportunities and, with it, many of these dreams will necessarily fade. I can't actually do all the things I listed above because I can't say yes to all three jobs. So I can build a good practice in Salt Lake but I can't do it working at home and going on lots of vacations. I can make a lot of money and build a varied practice for the best clients, but I can't do it in Salt Lake. I can have flexibility and work at home and have time for vacations, but I can't do it without compromising the opportunities that I will have for the rest of my life by limiting my practice to one really specific area. All the choices are good, but no choice has it all. Only right now, before I decide and start closing doors, can I really feel like I have it all. Next time I write you, I will have had to compromise many of these great things to get the ones that are very most important. Along with that, like I told mom, right now everybody loves me. They would take me to dinner or do anything to try to seal the deal. But soon  most of them will get the bad news that I won't be able to come and then they will forget about me in the best case or be frustrated and disappointed and even betrayed in the worst case. I don't know how they'll react but it's certainly much better now, having everybody love you. 

Speaking of going out to dinner, I've gained about 20 pounds since the summer started—10 at each firm. Yeah, imagine being on a cruise where you work a few hours each day rather than a shore excursion and that it is a pretty good description of summer programs for lawyers. It was a fun summer with lots and lots of good food and very little exercise. So now, starting yesterday (to my credit, the first day after my summer program ended) I am on a new diet and I hope to lose the 20 pounds by the end of the year. Or if things go really well, 25-30 pounds so that I can be down to my ideal long-term weight. Anyway, I'll let you know how that goes! :)

Okay, that's it for now I guess. Sure love you and am proud of you. Just hearing your voice on that video or when we listen to your songs in the car (which we still often do) just makes me miss you like crazy. You're such a cool little brother and I'm so grateful to have you in my life. Stay strong and hang in there. Love ya!

Week 23 - Rosey

Hey Max, 

I just finished reading your letter for this week (so you will be reading trichis a week from now).  I am in one of those pondering moods, and I have a little bit of time before I leave with Mom and Dad to go to Beatrice's wedding dinner, so I figured now would be a good time to write.

First off, I just want to say that your letters are an inspiration!  What a great attitude you have!  It's amazing.  The highlight of the reunion really was having mom read us all your letter while emphasizing your exclamation points and your sooooo's by holding up her fingers for how many there were of each.  You're such a good guy Max.  Last night I watched home videos with Janey, Louie, and Warner and I couldn't help but watch you as a little guy and think about how very grateful I am that you were born!  I know it sounds cheesy, but I really am so glad you are in our family.  I know that families are central to our Heavenly Father's plan and that you and I were meant to be siblings.  I love you so much!  

After reading your letter last week where you requested for Nate's "Dances" song, I decided to listen to that song, which got me listening to some other beautiful piano songs. I am hoping to get a bunch of those types of song on a SD card for you, Dad is going to help me.  It amazes me what music does for my soul.  Seriously.  I love it.  

Speaking of music.  I ran the Park City 1/2 Marathon on Saturday with Ashlee (Amber's sister) and Chelsey.  It was Ashlee's new years resolution and I felt like I really should join her because she is going through such a hard time.  Her husband, was recently killed in a motorcycle accident.  His death resulted in a variety of really hard feelings for her and her entire family because she was in the middle of a nasty divorce with him because of some domestic violence which had occurred.  So I think she is experiencing feelings of guilt, relief, sadness, etc.  It's amazing how we are all dealing with our own challenges.  I am grateful to have some close friends who help me better understand the trials we have to face individually, and I am even more grateful for how those friends are examples of using the Lord to work through these challenges.  

Speaking of challenges, Dad is amazing.  I am so impressed that he never complains or whines or sounds unfaithful about his situation.  But he is going through a TOUGH time.  He has interview after interview with no luck.  He has worked hard his entire life.  He is extremely qualified.  And yet he can't get a job.  I can't imagine how difficult it must be for him to just carry on.  I am so grateful for his amazing example.  We have such cool parents.  You may think about writing Dad a letter of love and encouragement.  I bet it would mean a lot to him.  

It was fun to meet Easton's entire family last night when they stayed with us.  They are certainly kind people.  Her dad reminds me of Brett Mangrum.  Her mom reminds me of her, and her brother doesn't remind me of anybody.  I hope that Easton will have a positive experience at school this year, it's so exciting ot be in college.  

I continue to be so grateful for my calling as Relief Society President.  I am learning so much as I work and serve.  Mostly about how good the people I serve with are.  Our gospel really is run completely by people sacrificing.  Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting, President Taggart (in the Stake Presidency) shared a great thought.  He talked about a time when he was walking through the tunnels (because he works for the church) and ran into President Hinckley (not literally :) who was 90 years old and was heading off to another country the next day.  President Taggart said that he couldn't help but ask, "President Hinckley, you're 90 years old, how do you keep doing this!?" His response, "it's a great cause."  I seriously love that so much.  It's why any of us make any sacrifice, it's why you're on a mission, it's why we pay tithing, it's why we try to be nice to each other even when other's are unkind to us.  It's a great cause. You are involved in the most important cause.  

So, funny story for the week comes from one of my clients (the same one who asked me if I was growing marijuana in my office).  We got talking about God somehow and she randomly said, "I wish I could be God."  And I, of course, asked why?  She then said, "because he's so popular."  I don't know why, but it cracked me up.  I guess she's right.  He is pretty darn popular!  Something I love about my job is that I get to see a different side of people, a side that they keep to themselves.  But something I have found is that the majority of people have a belief or even a desire to believe in God, they just don't have the correct knowledge about God and what he can do to make their lives so much better and so much happier.  I don't know if what I am saying is making sense, but I believe it with all of my heart.  People are ready to hear the message you're sending, they may not know that they are ready, but they are.  

Okay, last fun memory for kicks and giggles.  We had to laugh at our favorite family home video clip, "Ding, dong, where ya been?" ... "I wasn't there!"  So many fun memories.  I love it!  

Love you brotha.  I think about you all the time, and I couldn't be prouder!  Your sacrifice is worth everything, because this is a good cause!  

Carry on!

Love, Rosey 

Week 23 - Dad - I BELONG to the Church

Week 23 - Dad - I BELONG to the Church

Sunday, August 25, 2013

10:11 PM

Dear Max the missionary (as opposed to Max the Dog or Max the person),

Things to tell Max,

• The Websters - It was fun to have Nicole, Noah, Larry, and Easton here this week.  They were here for ice cream last Sunday evening.  And we enjoyed showing them slides from the reuinon and from their summer off the Ipad.  The Yorgs came outside and we had ice cream with the Websters and yorgs.  It was sooo nice.  I so enjoy Larry and Nicole, or course not to mention how much we love Easton.  They are good people.  They spent the night, then when they got up we made a big breakfast with cottage cheese pancakes, OJ, turkey sausage, milk, toast etc.  It was fun.  Then they headed out to go to Park City where they partied.  Then they partied all day T and Wed  until we saw them again on Wednesday night.  We met them in American Fork at the Zupa's which is one of Mom and I's favorite places.  Again, we got there early, and were one of the last to get kicked out of there because we just visited and visited.  Great people.  They left yesterday (except for Easton) to head home.  We wish them all the best, and look forward to seeing them again in December around Christmas.
• We then went to a fun Wedding Dinner in Bountiful for Beatrice and Scott.  The food was great and it was fun to see so many of my brothers and sisters there.   We got to meet a lot of their family and really enjoyed meeting them.
• Tuesday was Beatrice and Scott's wedding in the Bountiful temple, then their reception (same place as the dinner the night before).  It was a beautiful affair as all temple weddings are.  Jeannie's dad did the wedding in the temple which made it extra nice.

• We got to tend B&K's kids while they went to dinner with his law firm that is based in downtown SLC.  Ben and Gwen have started school already, so it was fun to see what they liked and didn't like about their new classes.  They are growing up so fast.  Especially cute Gwen.  She is so smart, and cute as can be.

• Saturday and Sunday was stake conference session for our home stake.  It was the first Stake Conference since we were released 6 months ago.  It was so nice to sit back and not sweat a drop when one of the speakers went on and on, or when the technology in the Falcon building stopped working leaving us in the chapel with nothing for about 10 minutes.  But they are an inspired Stake Presidency and are doing such a nice job.

• Saturday was a weird day.  I learned about half way through the day that someone got on facebook and created an imposter page about me.  It was a page for Bret Bessett and not Bret Bassett.   He stole my FB picture and FB background  to give his page legitimacy.   I spent a lot of my day learning more about Facebook security and how to protect yourself from this kind of fraud.  It turns out that about 50 of my friends accepted his invitation to join his page.

Things to Share with Max,

• I love this concept taught by President Eyring… "The missionaries will help and encourage us, but whether such moments at the baptismal font and in the temple come more often will depend largely on how we see our charge and what we choose to do about it. The Lord would not use the word warn if there was no danger. Yet not many people we know sense it. They have learned to ignore the increasing evidence that society is unraveling and that their lives and family lack the peace they once thought was possible. That willingness to ignore the signs of danger can make it easy for you to think: “Why should I speak to anyone about the gospel who seems content? What danger is there to them or to me if I do or say nothing? Well, the danger may be hard to see, but it is real, both for them and for us. For instance, at some moment in the world to come, everyone you met in this life will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. They will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you."

• It reminds me of a dream that one of my companions had during our time together.   The dream was that he was in a building.  Suddenly he noticed that there was a fire in the corner of the building.  The fire was getting bigger and bigger.  He wanted to run out of the building in hopes of being safe, but he knew that his job was to help get as many people out of the burning building as he could.  But the infuriating things was that no one was listening to him.  He was doing all he could to awaken them, but some were napping, some were just playing around, some where visiting with others and didn't want to be bothered.  Yet he was yelling Fire, Fire, Fire.  Finally he had to leave or the fire would have consumed him.  He knew he had done all he could yet he still felt sad.

• I think we all have this kind of responsibility and dilemma.  How do we help those who are content with their life, and see no danger ahead.
• Well, that's the role of your Mission President, ZLs, DLs, SC, and your own spiritual direction to make sure you don't waste this time, but you help people understand the danger.

Favorite Scripture,

• This week's scripture is really just a primary song.  It refers to how a General Authority, a Stake President, a Bishop, and a Missionary feels day after day as they receive instructions, directions on where to go, who to see, what to say, what to become. 
• It's a quote that Elder Quich (Area 70) told the Stake Presidents when he cancelled his dinner with them because he was told to be at another meeting.  The primary song is this…"I BELONG to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

• When we take the sacrament each week and we take His name upon us, we too BELONG to the church or to the Savior.

• And as President Benson taught us (Mom has this quote up on our fridge now):

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their soals, and pour out peace.” 

― Ezra Taft Benson

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums.

The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” 

― Ezra Taft Benson

Enjoy this period in your life where you can learn to give yourself to the Lord.  To do His will exclusively.  For as we have learned from the Savior example, we really only have one choice in this life - We choose to do things OUR way, or we choose to do them HIS way.

Questions

• I so enjoy hearing about the heat, the snacks, the meals, the president of your branch, the size of your area, and where you live (give me directions again from the Church!!)
• I love hearing all the creative ideas you have to try to and find people to teach.

I feel the Lord's love for you each day.  You great attitude is so wonderful.  Stay close to him, and avoid discouragement, and he'll work his miracles through you.

Loves,

Dad

Week 22 - from Max - 555+ en una semana

Week 22 - Max - 555+ en una semana

Monday, August 19, 2013

11:04 AM

Hola familia!!! 

Its a solid 111 degrees here in Cordoba with the sun shining bright and beautiful! :) Loving it! :) 

This week has been a great week but before I write about anything I just wanted to thank everyone for the letters! I think I received a letter from every single one of my bros and sisters last week! It was so awesome! And it just made me so grateful for the great family I have! I love all of you so much! 

It sounded like the reunion was a success!!! Complete with talent shows, judges, photos, minute to win it, temple trips, marathons, church seminars, soccers camps, dances, self defense class for women seminars and so so much more!!! I am sad that I wasnt able to make it this year, but I am so glad you were all able to grow closer together as a family so that we can continue to have reunions in the future! ...hint, hint....;)

Mom! I am super excited about your calling! All I gotta say is that there is no better lady for the job! You are the one that is suppose to preside over this group of women at this time. The Lord is happy with your hard work! I want you to know how much of an example you are to me! It helps me so much to know that everyone at home is growing stronger in the gospel because I know that that will help our family grow closer together in the end. Though it is hard, it is so worth it in the end. The scripture that I want to give this week is kind of especially for you Mom. Its in D y C 58: 1 - 8! I found this the other day after a long and hard day. We came home to the piso and I began praying. I then felt inspired to read out of Grandpa Bassetts scriptures that I have with me. I picked them up and just flipped them open. I first read about faith in Alma 32. And then flipped to D y C and read the first marked scripture I saw which was DyC 58!! I looked in my own scriptures and found that I hadnt marked them yet. So it was such a tender mercy because these verses helped me out so much to know that through tribulations come blessings! ALWAYS! :) I know that in your calling Mom, there are going to be hard times, but the good times will weigh out the bad! :) Keep me updated on everything! :)

KATHERINE IS ENGAGED?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAAAAAAAA?!?!?!?!?!?! I am sorry to make this public Kath, but I would LOVE to receive a letter, or email, from ya! :) Congrats!!! I am super happy for you guys! :) I am excited to see the invitation! :) man...i am still wrapping my head around it!!! Thats sooo crazy...but sooo cool!!!

So Dad, I never recieved Dougs letter. Was it a hand written letter? Or an email? I dont know if I gave you guys the right address to my piso, so I am going to give it again.

c/ Doctor Barraquer 3 IZQ 6º 2 

14004 Córdoba

España

I have not received the package that you sent forever ago Mom. It is still sitting in the office! That is the problem with being in Cordoba and not Malaga...I RARELY ever see the APs or the President...only at our big conferences! haha But it is kind of fun to wait, because I am able to get more and more excited to get it! I am super excited to get it!! 

So this week I got to go to Sevilla for splits with the Zone Leaders. It was pretty fun! I met an old couple from there. They were super funny and nice. I hope one day to serve in Sevilla. You dont by chance know a Jaime Romero from Sevilla Blaine? And oh...while I am asking, do you know an Elder Arcos that was in your mission?

You all may be wondering what my subject has to do with anything. This week, the mission of Malaga, España has a goal to find 555 or more children of God in one week to teach!! 555 new investigators this week!!! 

Last tuesday, President texted all of the companionships and said to go check your email. We got on and found our goals!!! 100 Baptisms in September!!! In our email we found a list of our study schedule for the next couple days and when we are going to pray as a mission, and when we are to fast as a mission. We have officially begun today, but even preparing for this goal was huge. Finding futures and talking with members and menos activos was hard work. And now, we are off to find, at least 7 new investigors (per companionships)!!! For those of you that dont know...that is quite a bit....depending on where you are...here in Spain....you are good if you have 2 new investigators in a week...let alone 7!!!! And 100 baptisms in one month is also a lot! The record, I hear, is 80 baptisms in a month!!! But average is less than that! 

Now....I dont want to sound at all doubting or negative, because the truth is...I am suuuuper pumped for this week! I really am so excited to see the miracles that are going to come! I know there will be many. I know the Lord is with us in this which is so wonderful because I know that we are only able to do His work, with His help! I am so excited to find AT LEAST 7 new investigators! Elder Rojas and I have set a goald for about 10. We have some futures set up and we ready to see who else the Lord has prepared. Because as Elder Neil L. Anderson said, "As the Lord sends out more and more and more missionaries, the Lord prepares more and more and more of His children to hear the gospel." I have seen that our here. I know the Lord is preparing the hearts of His children for the truth, and this week will be especially fun to see the Lords hands working in other peoples lives! 

There will for sure be more news to come on this goal next week. I will let you know how it all goes and what comes of it! Please remember to keep us in your prayers. We will need it! :) 

Well thats it for this week! I hope all is well back home and I am super excited to read everyones letters! :) Thank you for your support and your prayers. I hope you all know that I am LOVING LIFE out here in Córdoba! :) 

Carry On, A vencer!

Love you all!

Love, Elder Bassett

p.s. After reading about all the fun things of last week, the reunion, homemade ice cream, swimming in the pool, fun announcments, etc. etc. I realized the hardest thing to read that I miss so much was hearing that all the family ate hot cheetos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha There sure arent any of those over here........haha

Love you all!!! :)

Week 22 - to Max - Mom

Dear Max,

Hola from WVC!  How is my favorite missionary?  We talked about you at dinner tonight and I am missing you a lot!  After reading last week's letter I am so thankful you are safe.  That fire sounded scary and it even brought tears to my eyes realizing how the Lord is protecting you.  For that I am so thankful.  So you will have to tell us some follow-up on their house and how they are doing after the fire.

Caroline ate dinner with us tonight and during the course of our conversation she called me "mom."  I loved it.  We love Louie!  She is truly like another daughter to me.  She hangs out here when her folks are gone.  (And when Rosey is home). Nancy and Brent were visiting grandpa Yorgason in the hospital.  He just had triple by-pass heart surgery and seems to be recovering well.  I need to get Caroline to write you.

 First a quick question.  Did you get the package/large envelope we sent?  I sent it to the mission home address and it had a bunch of pictures and other stuff in it.  I am wondering if we can depend on the mail?  Let me know.  If so, I'm going to send another one with your Bassett reunion shirt and some more photos.

Next, a quick correction about something you wrote.  In Uncle Doug's letter he told you that he was called to open the city of Cordoba.  When he talked about having sacrament meeting with four people, those were not members, those four were the Elders!  There were no members in that city at the time.  Doug was interested to hear that 40 years later there are only about 40 active members.  He remember long days of tracking, just like you talk about.  He loves reading your letters.

Well this week began with Easton and will end with Easton!  It's 8 pm on Sunday night and we are waiting for her family to arrive.  They are coming from Albuquerque and should arrive soon.  They  (Larry, Nicole, Easton and Noah) will spend the night tonight. If they arrive in time we will eat ice cream and hard sauce on the back patio.  Larry and Nicole will sleep in your room.  I'm excited to meet Noah.  Poor Noah will have to sleep on the downstairs couch.  Hope he doesn't mind!

So like I said, the week began with Easton.  On Monday she, Caroline and I met Ben, Kacey, Kristi and all the kids at Liberty Park in the water play area.  We ate a sack lunch and visited and watched the kids have fun.  Then later Easton and I went over to the Morris pool (Stef and boys were still in town) and spent a couple hours swimming in their pool.  It was fun.  The boys love Easton.  She played "I spy" with them as we warmed up after the swim.  Later she, dad and I went to Zupas for dinner and went to the dollar movie at Valley Fair of Superman.  Easton had already seen it but dad and I hadn't.  Nice Easton treated us to popcorn and I think dad and I ate 90 percent of it!  Dad and Easton loved the movie.  Honestly I fell asleep.  It was soo long and lots of battles. The next morning Easton did some shopping at Deseret Book before we took her to the airport to fly home.  It was so great to have her here.  She probably already told you all of that and in a more interesting way!

Today dad and I spoke in YSA sacrament meeting in Bishop Erickson's ward.  We were the high council speakers.  I get rather stressed speaking but it all went well. Nice Janey and Warner came to hear us.  I still have not been sustained to the RS calling and I'm still pondering who to call as councillors.  Hmmm. It still makes me very nervous.  We do hard things!

A couple more things.  Kent's new wife, Suzy's father passed away this past week.  Dad and I went to the viewing on Saturday.  Suzy's mom is so kind and she went on and on about how much they love Kent and how thankful they are to have him in their family.

It was our Bassett/Yorgason weekend at the cabin.  All the Yorgason men were in Fountain Green on a scout camp, but the rest of us went up to the cabin for dinner.  We had the ever-popular taco salad and then played the ever more popular candy bar game.  Money bags Rosey (the name Janey and Warner have given her) provided lots of jumbo sized candies and we had a ball.  Bentley was on a lucky streak and kept rolling 7's and doubles.  He had a smile that would not go away!  It was so cute.  Grandma Winder joined us.  There is a beautiful new patio at the cabin that makes it so nice.  It has been extended out and is pretty large.  Also, did we tell you that because of insurance purposes we had to take the Tarzan swing down.  So sad, no more Tarzan swing!  The kids loved the zip line.  Course it made Kristi nervous, but the kids are brave and they had fun going down with Blaine and alone.

This week we had our annual Layton swim party at the pool.  Not a huge attendance but at least we had plenty of food!

So I will close with some thoughts from my talk (a 15 minute talk no less!). I talked about agency and being anxiously engaged. It was centered on the scripture in D&C 58:26-28  (be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of your own free will and bring to pass much righteousness).  I also referred to Elder Ballard's bee talk.  I gave examples of people who used their free agency to be anxiously engaged and do great things.  Course I think you and all the other missionaries are great examples of this.  If there is ever a time to be anxiously engaged in something, it is on your mission!  I am so grateful you are willing and able to serve.  I'm sure there are hard and long and hot days but I am thankful for your willingness to sacrifice and keep at it.  I know Heavenly Father watches over you.  I can see the great growth you are experiencing as you serve.  I love you so much and feel so blessed to have such an obedient son.  Thanks for your testimony and example to us all.  I love you.  Have a great week.

Much love,
Mom