On Monday, September 29, 2014, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes these letters are more precious than ever. I loved all the stories, especially hearing about Ben's talk in the primary program. Maybe we can face time tonight and have him share it with us?
Sent from my iPadI always thought that it would be our 'dancer' Stef who would teach our family how to dance "Thriller" for a bassett reunion. But maybe that is your destiny?Fun stories. May I am hungry to hear more and more about your days. Thanks for taking time to share!!!Loves.Re: Coconut Ice Cream
Yes these letters are more precious than ever. I loved all the stories, especially hearing about Ben's talk in the primary program. Maybe we can face time tonight and have him share it with us?
Sent from my iPadI always thought that it would be our 'dancer' Stef who would teach our family how to dance "Thriller" for a bassett reunion. But maybe that is your destiny?Fun stories. May I am hungry to hear more and more about your days. Thanks for taking time to share!!!Loves.Re: Coconut Ice Cream
I always thought that it would be our 'dancer' Stef who would teach our family how to dance "Thriller" for a bassett reunion. But maybe that is your destiny?Fun stories. May I am hungry to hear more and more about your days. Thanks for taking time to share!!!Loves.Week 80 - Max - Livin' like kings! :)
Week 80 - Max - Livin like kings! :)
Monday, September 29, 2014
7:12 AM
Hola familia! I hope all has been well this week! I wish I had more time to write, but I will be sure and lay out the week this week! Thank you all for your letters and your prayers!
Haha I have to say....I am sooooo happy for David. What a solid man! hahaha That really is so awesome for him though. I definitely do not see him quite yet as a father, haha but I am sure that he will be great and learn lots through his experiences!
This week has been another interesting yet amazing week! I have had some amazing spiritual experiences that have helped me understand who the Savior is. I feel like this week, I have been able to grow closer to Him and have gotten to know Him a little bit better. I know He lives.
We NOW HAVE A PISO!!!! And to be brief, let me just say, ITS THE NICEST PISO IN THE MISSION!!!!! We didnt even see it until we moved in, but the man that rented it for us (the 2nd councilor in the stake presidency) told us it was pretty great. And when he said pretty great, he pretty much meant AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!! (at least thats how it is in the eyes of a missionary ;) hahaha Ill send some pictures of it though. I think my favorite part of it is the kitchen! It is so beautiful and big. We actually have a small little table to eat on IN THE KITCHEN! Thats so awesome. We have a dishwasher, a sink with 2 slots! (I though when we first got there that there was a disposal, but I was dreaming too big...disposals in sinks dont exist in Spain...or at least in the south of Spain...) The counters are clean, and the oven is big. We cant drink tap water so we get a certain filtered water from a member which is nice.
The bathroom has a HUGE tub in it. Its funny because the shower doesnt work very well in that bathroom (there are two) and so I will just have to take baths every morning! Ive planned it out that during my exercise, I go in and turn on the water...and then by the time im done with exercise, the tub is all full! Its been a while since Ive taken a bath...haha but I wont lie, its sooooo nice!
Our bedroom is HUGE!!! Its big enough to have 2 queen size beds and still have room to walk around. The salon is beautiful with 2 couches!!!
All in all....the piso is amazing! Its been a huge blessin as we have been going back and forth and have been struggling with different things. Its like the Lord is just saying to us...I want you to enjoy more of your stay here...take this. And so we are very grateful to Him for this huge blessing!!
We live right above where the new chapel is going to be. They still have to paint and change some things, but they say that in 2 weeks...it should be good to go. Thats when Elda will begin meeting in Elda, but they will still be part of the Elche ward. Still not positive on how all that goes, but we will see. The bishop has big plans. The goal then is that in december, it becomes its own branch! Pretty quick! That means that Elder Chapple and I are going to have to work like never before to animate members, find new investigators, and help menos acitivos feel the Lords love and come back. Its possible! I know that for sure!
We are for sure going to need the prayers of many. So Im so grateful for all of you who have been so diligent in praying for us. Those prayers always go answered! The Lord is listening.
As for investigators, Rocio called us right after I wrote last week and said she didnt want us to come back ever again. She had talked to her pastor and he told her to stay far away from us, Im guessing.
We found Alejandro, who is a middle aged man that just pretty much wants friends. He told us he is not interested in changing churches or being baptized, but he is okay with listening to us. He is planning on watching general conference next week. Please keep him in your prayers.
We are seeing lots of success with menos activos though. We have met so many and they are all very excited to see the church back in Elda.
What a blessing it is to serve the Lord. I hope that this week, I can give even more to Him and His work, its the least I can do!
Thank you for all you guys do!
I am loving life!
A vencer!
I love you all!
Love, Elder Bassett
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Re: Coconut Ice Cream
Oh and during the dance party…you'd all like to know Gwen was sitting thirty feet away, plugging her ears, begging to go home. Man, kids just come with their own little unique personalities, it cracks me up!Coconut Ice Cream
Hey Max!I just polished off the last of our homemade coconut ice cream! I made a double batch since we were having company over and it was SO delicious. It's funny, I always think of homemade ice cream as really soft and having to be eaten immediately after being made. I made this all earlier in the day and put it in the freezer, so it was firm when we served it. Can't decide which way I like better but I'll continue to do vigorous taste testing until I figure it out :)We had Brian, Ralphie and girls over tonight for a late celebration of Blaine and Bentley's birthdays. It really does feel a lot like family when we have them over. There is just a comfort there when you are around people who have known you for a significant amount of time. I'm so grateful that our friendship can continue. Our kids all get along so great, it's really fun. I served pizza soup and breadsticks, mmmboy.Blaine and I discussed tonight how having people over for dinner/dessert is a lot like having a baby! It sounds easy and fun enough when you get the idea to do it. Then it gets really chaotic and stressful for a while and you wonder what in tarnation you were thinking, but then at the end of the day when you collapse in to bed you are really grateful you did it :). It's actually a pretty astute comparison!Speaking of babies, little Tess Leone is up sleeping in Gwen's room tonight. We finally got the girl a crib and then finally got the crib set up, and now she is sleeping in there. All that really means for me is that I am going to have to walk further to go get her when she will inevitably wake up in the middle of the night, but it will be fun to start the transition of getting our own room back. But I kind of miss her already :) She's sure had a rough go the past couple of days. Screaming and crying more than usual, maybe she is teething? Who knows. She especially dislikes church. She wailed all through the women's broadcast last night and then again through most of church today (which was sad as I had to miss the whole primary program :( ).She had her eye doctor appointment this week and they are going to be doing some patching with her eyes. We will be patching her left eye for three hours a day for six weeks, then we will alternate patching her right and left for six weeks, and then I guess we will have to figure out what we will do from there.She is a handful but she sure lights up our lives. I love her so very much!Bentley had to speak in primary today and the kid did a bang up job! We didn't get asked to have him speak until Thursday, and then with a busy weekend we didn't even really prepare his talk until this morning. Then during primary I went to help him, but I stayed at the back and he just gave his whole talk like a champ! He didn't have anything written down but he remembered everything he wanted to say. He looked a little nervous but did SO GREAT. I was standing next to the primary president and she even got emotional. I was so proud of him. (He spoke about how the gospel has blessed our lives and shared the story of when Gwen got lost in the mountains and he prayed with Grandma - two times- etc. etc. then bore a sweet testimony at the end). What I think is really great about Bentley is that he practiced his talk on the way to church, Blaine gave him like four pointers of things to change (add more detail here, emphasize this, etc.) and then we didn't have another chance to practice but Ben remembered every single change and emphasized it. I am so lucky to be the mom of such a wonderful boy!On Friday I had set up a doctors appt for Ivy (and Tess), because Ivy was missing one of her immunizations. I hadn't told her about the appt and she woke up saying she was sick (she says that every morning) and didn't want to go. I told her she could stay home, but we would go to the doctors and get a shot to help her feel better. That girl. She totally stuck with it, I thought she would crack and declare an immediate recovery. She got her shot (very unwillingly, and she was quite vocal about her protest). At the time I was about to take her back to school I realized her class would be at lunch (it was 10 AM after all), so I decided to take her to lunch first. Then we ran to the store. Then I could see her getting so nervous about going back to school, I told her if she would come home and take a nap I would let her stay home. Well, believe it or not she waltzed in the door, went upstairs and slept for like three hours! Either she really was sick, or she is just simply exhausted. Kindergarten and the long days have been hard on her. Anyway, I actually really enjoyed having a special little "sick day" with Ivy.Friday night we went to a neighborhood party, they brought in food trucks from the city, had a DJ and it was a really fun night. Ben and Ivy were up at the front dancing in a sea of little kids. I wanted to join the party and it was funny their different reactions, Ivy was so embarrassed and ran away with her friends, but Ben was so happy to have me out dancing with him. Ha ha. I even won a ticket to the local aquarium for dancing to "Thriller" with so much…um…enthusiasm :).Anyway, it's crazy late and I better get to bed. We sure love you. Blaine really wanted to write but the poor guy, he is just SO EXHAUSTED! He has been working SO hard this week. It's been a rough one. I love him so much and appreciate all the sacrifices he is making to provide for our family!Love you Max!<iframe src="//instagram.com/p/tVD1unGrd3/embed/" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>Re: Love from Mom
I think it was my mission plaque scripture. If not, it's one of my faves and Warner and I have it memorized.We are excited for conference too. We're excited to see how this whole "native tongue" thing goes. It will be interesting to see what language president uchtdorf speaks in.
On Sunday, September 28, 2014, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:I love your scripture... I don't know if this was Janey's scripture or not, but I want to adopt it as one of mine. Loves.Re: Week 80 - Dad - A spiritual ghost story...
Miracles and blessings. Ya hear stories like that and suddenly your life doesn't seem so hard. :) thanks for sharing.
On Sunday, September 28, 2014, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:Week 80 (T-22) Dad - A spiritual ghost story…
Sunday, September 28, 2014
8:43 PM
When mom would tell me that the hardest part of a marathon is the last .2 miles (as in 26.2 miles in a marathon), I always said, maybe you should tell yourself that a marathon is 30 miles. Then as you're coming up on mile 27, and there is the finish line, it will freak you out, and you'll be amazed that it's already over.
She never really bought it. But I can't help but think there might be some truth to it.
I noticed this week that you are not at T-27 weeks to go (which is what my last letter said), but are only at T-22 weeks to go… I'm thinking wow that time is slipping away fast. I debated about leaving the countdown at T-27 (for the same reason I told mom to pretend that a marathon is 30 miles)…. I thought that maybe if I kept the countdown going at 27, then when you got to week 5 you'd still be working hard and then one day the assistants would pull up at your apartment with a van and say, 'get in elder, your plane leaves in an hour…' But I abandoned that Idea knowing that I'm not really fooling anyone. So here we are at T-22.
Redford only has 15 weeks left. It's amazing!
This week life moved along at the same breakneck speed that it does every week. I can't help but think how important it is to make good habits while you're young and make sure you like the habits and traits you have developed so as the time speeds up you can act with confidence (and automatically) that you are moving the right direction and you don't have to 'think about' every last decision. That most of the decisions are already made for you.
Blaines birthday was Tuesday and we thought about him all that day. But to be honest, Mom and I think about he and his sweet little family about as much as we do you on your mission. I know all will work out for the best, but I think these are very tough times where a lot is expected, but little is known about how to deliver the anticipated goods. And so he is figuring things out as fast as he can. But Kristi and the rest of the gang seem to be adjusting wonderfully in the new place. I had to send them a video from our front porch showing a view towards the mountains where 24 lightning flashes crashed in 60 seconds just to remind them that as hard as it is in Texas, it could be just as hard here. So enjoy!
I want to end my letter with a spiritual ghost story…
I work with a guy who is kind of a blue-collar technician type guy. He's rough around the edges and seems to be more of a sports-aholic guy than a spiritual giant. So when he was asked to give the weekly devotional I wasn't anticipating much. He launched into his story about how they have 5 kids…and how the 4th child is autistic… and is one of the type of autistic kids that gets violent when he gets frustrated. Also about 3 years into this child's life, the wife/mother had a nervous breakdown, leaving him to take care of the kids AND keep money coming in. He had me in tears at that point. He told us how the boy never slept. He would be awake all night, and so it was always freaky to fall asleep and then wake up and find out what he had been doing all night. This dad spent every ounce of spiritual strength he had praying for the lord to give his son some help, and to help him (as a dad) to deal with the cards he'd been dealt (so to speak). I remember he talked about one night he woke up and went to find his son, and he was sitting in the kitchen. Every cupboard had been opened and stuff had all been pulled out. And everything was white as it had been covered in flour. He felt totally alone and lost at that point. He sought help for help… and considered putting the boy in a home or something because he just couldn't control him. But shortly after that, the boy calmed way down. He started to go to sleep. Often he would sleep most of the night. It was a miracle. One day, the boy started crying in his bedroom, and dad went in to see what was wrong. He was sobbing and said that the old people had gone… and they weren't coming back. As the dad asked questions he learned that an old couple had been coming to his son each night to help calm him down and to help him sleep. They were kind and loved him. But they now needed to go back and so they had said goodbye. Tim (the guy I work with) of course was kind of freaked out. He told his wife who had a suspicion that it might be her parents who had passed away when the boy was tiny. So she went digging for pictures and found pictures of her parents. She showed the pictures to the boy and asked if these people looked familiar. He told her that these were the people who had been visiting with him…
Anyway - you've said that you know this is the Lord's work and that he puts us where he needs us to help those who need him. I believe it so much. And stories like this remind me how real it is. How important it is that we learn how to listen and follow. So that we can be directed to help those who the Lord is seeking to help when they need him.
Look for miracles…they are happening all around us.
Loves. Dad
Re: Love from Mom
I love your scripture... I don't know if this was Janey's scripture or not, but I want to adopt it as one of mine. Loves.Re: End of September 2014-Stef
Loved seeing your pics on photo stream of all your adventures. Glad your loving it. I heard you saw Warner's mom yesterday at tge meeting. I saw your mom yesterday at the meeting. :)
On Sunday, September 28, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,Well its been a good week. Way less crazy than last week which is always nice. We are loving life, school, scouts, dance, all conference. Its one of the best times of year.I had a chance to go downtown to the women's session last night which was so neat. I rode trax all by myself down there. I met up with a friend who had two tickets and we really enjoyed talking and the broadcast and then a yummy dinner at the blue lemon (one of my favorite places) at city creek. Salt Lake is a cool place. Its especially enjoyable when the streets and restaurants are filled with women who are going the same place as you or who have been the same place as you. Its extra fun to see young girls with their moms since 8 and up are now invited. Such a fun feeling of excitement being there at the conference center. I cannot get over how incredible the sound is in that place. The choir (composed of girls and ladies of ages 8 and up from Magna, Hunter, and other surrounding areas) sounded like a recording that was doubled up to make their sound bigger and stronger, but I know its just because of how the sound/acoustics are engineered in the conference center. It sounded so good!We went to the cabin and the ranch this weekend, so it was super action packed and with all the rain it was crazy, but fun.We are so blessed. I am so happy to be closer to family, to just be able to stop by both of our parents houses whenever. Its so nice to see family so much. What blessings and joy come from family!Well have a great week! The church is true and the book is blue :) Love,-Stef
Love from Mom
Dear Max,
I just reread the letter you wrote last week. It makes me excited to hear from you to learn if you have found a piso or if you are still making the long commute each day. I hope things are going well. I've remembered to bless Rocio and her family and look forward to hearing any report you have.
First, I'm thinking about Christmas and what you might want or need. If you have ANY ideas, let me know ASAP. Ideas that come to mind are hot Cheetos, deodorant (since Europeans don't sell the good stuff), Mapeline syrup, peanut butter, skittles, new white shirts, socks, money in your account. I would love to send what you need or want. Please let me know.
So Fall has truly come to SLC. One day it was sunny and 90 degrees and the next day it was 54 degrees and rain. In fact we have had lots and lots of rain and thunder and lightning the past couple of days. But thankfully Friday was a clear day. That was the day we went on a hike that all the Yorgs refer to as "The Wellsville." I have heard them talk about it for years. That name actually makes me laugh now because basically the Wellsville mountains are the range east of Logan and there are many trails in those mountains. Kind of like if we referred to every hike along the Wasatch front as "The Wasatch." Anyway, technically we hiked to the top of Box Elder Peak in the Wellsville Mountain range. Brent, Robbie, Marg, Mark, Caroline, Rosey and I went. Nancy and Gwen and little Peyton started the hike with us but didn't go too far. It was a beautiful clear day, pretty warm so we appreciated any breeze. It's a ten mile hike and much of it is quite steep. Kind of like hiking to the Y, but longer. It was a workout. My quads are sore today (from the downhill), but not as bad as last week so that makes me happy. Did I tell you we are all training to do Havasupi in the Grand Canyon in a month?
Last night was the General Women's Meeting. We had a broadcast at the Institute and before we served dinner to 120 people. We were happy with the turnout. We had Lion House soup and rolls and honeybutter and salad. The YSA all helped bring homemade cookies for dessert. Very glad that is behind me as it is lots of work. Course the best part was the actual broadcast. A lot of focus on the temple. It was wonderful. I'm curious when the sisters in Spain get to see it and how that all works.
This week I started a new assignment at the temple. I guess it is a new, old assignment, that of being assistant trainer. That means I help the new trainee sisters memorize the ordinances and then shadow them as they perform their work until they can pass it off. It still makes me laugh to think I am training others because I never feel very smart myself. But that's where faith comes in, right? I do love getting to know the sisters I serve with. I only see them once a week but there is a sweet bond that forms.
I met a YSA today in dad's ward who is a convert of only a couple years and went to high school with you. Her name is Lindsey Beck. Do you remember her? I think she is a year older. She recognized your name and knew Trevor and Zack. She shared a bit of her conversion that happened after high school. I always love the perspective of a convert. It reminds me of the things I take for granted.
Random tidbit - Karen and Roger are in Hawaii. That sounds fun doesn't it?
Another random thing. Nancy still serves as our ward Relief Society president. She started a "share the harvest" on her front porch where every Monday anyone can drop off extra produce or pick up what they need. At the end of the day the sister missionaries come over and Nancy goes with them to deliver it to people in the apartments or wherever. Nancy has a really close relationship with all of the sister missionaries serving in our ward. And they all love her. In your letter when you talked about the members being the key, I thought of Nancy. She is so good at serving and reaching out.
I better wrap this up. I'm sure looking forward to general conference this weekend. This is such a wonderful time of year - always a treat to hear from our leaders. I'm excited to hear from you tomorrow. I sure love you. Thanks for your goodness and persistence, your positive attitude and your good example as you serve cheerfully. Reminds me of a favorite scripture I will close with. I'm pretty sure this was Janey's mission scripture:
D&C 123:17. "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.
Much Love,
MomWeek 80 - Dad - A spiritual ghost story...
Week 80 (T-22) Dad - A spiritual ghost story…
Sunday, September 28, 2014
8:43 PM
When mom would tell me that the hardest part of a marathon is the last .2 miles (as in 26.2 miles in a marathon), I always said, maybe you should tell yourself that a marathon is 30 miles. Then as you're coming up on mile 27, and there is the finish line, it will freak you out, and you'll be amazed that it's already over.
She never really bought it. But I can't help but think there might be some truth to it.
I noticed this week that you are not at T-27 weeks to go (which is what my last letter said), but are only at T-22 weeks to go… I'm thinking wow that time is slipping away fast. I debated about leaving the countdown at T-27 (for the same reason I told mom to pretend that a marathon is 30 miles)…. I thought that maybe if I kept the countdown going at 27, then when you got to week 5 you'd still be working hard and then one day the assistants would pull up at your apartment with a van and say, 'get in elder, your plane leaves in an hour…' But I abandoned that Idea knowing that I'm not really fooling anyone. So here we are at T-22.
Redford only has 15 weeks left. It's amazing!
This week life moved along at the same breakneck speed that it does every week. I can't help but think how important it is to make good habits while you're young and make sure you like the habits and traits you have developed so as the time speeds up you can act with confidence (and automatically) that you are moving the right direction and you don't have to 'think about' every last decision. That most of the decisions are already made for you.
Blaines birthday was Tuesday and we thought about him all that day. But to be honest, Mom and I think about he and his sweet little family about as much as we do you on your mission. I know all will work out for the best, but I think these are very tough times where a lot is expected, but little is known about how to deliver the anticipated goods. And so he is figuring things out as fast as he can. But Kristi and the rest of the gang seem to be adjusting wonderfully in the new place. I had to send them a video from our front porch showing a view towards the mountains where 24 lightning flashes crashed in 60 seconds just to remind them that as hard as it is in Texas, it could be just as hard here. So enjoy!
I want to end my letter with a spiritual ghost story…
I work with a guy who is kind of a blue-collar technician type guy. He's rough around the edges and seems to be more of a sports-aholic guy than a spiritual giant. So when he was asked to give the weekly devotional I wasn't anticipating much. He launched into his story about how they have 5 kids…and how the 4th child is autistic… and is one of the type of autistic kids that gets violent when he gets frustrated. Also about 3 years into this child's life, the wife/mother had a nervous breakdown, leaving him to take care of the kids AND keep money coming in. He had me in tears at that point. He told us how the boy never slept. He would be awake all night, and so it was always freaky to fall asleep and then wake up and find out what he had been doing all night. This dad spent every ounce of spiritual strength he had praying for the lord to give his son some help, and to help him (as a dad) to deal with the cards he'd been dealt (so to speak). I remember he talked about one night he woke up and went to find his son, and he was sitting in the kitchen. Every cupboard had been opened and stuff had all been pulled out. And everything was white as it had been covered in flour. He felt totally alone and lost at that point. He sought help for help… and considered putting the boy in a home or something because he just couldn't control him. But shortly after that, the boy calmed way down. He started to go to sleep. Often he would sleep most of the night. It was a miracle. One day, the boy started crying in his bedroom, and dad went in to see what was wrong. He was sobbing and said that the old people had gone… and they weren't coming back. As the dad asked questions he learned that an old couple had been coming to his son each night to help calm him down and to help him sleep. They were kind and loved him. But they now needed to go back and so they had said goodbye. Tim (the guy I work with) of course was kind of freaked out. He told his wife who had a suspicion that it might be her parents who had passed away when the boy was tiny. So she went digging for pictures and found pictures of her parents. She showed the pictures to the boy and asked if these people looked familiar. He told her that these were the people who had been visiting with him…
Anyway - you've said that you know this is the Lord's work and that he puts us where he needs us to help those who need him. I believe it so much. And stories like this remind me how real it is. How important it is that we learn how to listen and follow. So that we can be directed to help those who the Lord is seeking to help when they need him.
Look for miracles…they are happening all around us.
Loves. Dad
End of September 2014-Stef
Dear Max,Well its been a good week. Way less crazy than last week which is always nice. We are loving life, school, scouts, dance, all conference. Its one of the best times of year.I had a chance to go downtown to the women's session last night which was so neat. I rode trax all by myself down there. I met up with a friend who had two tickets and we really enjoyed talking and the broadcast and then a yummy dinner at the blue lemon (one of my favorite places) at city creek. Salt Lake is a cool place. Its especially enjoyable when the streets and restaurants are filled with women who are going the same place as you or who have been the same place as you. Its extra fun to see young girls with their moms since 8 and up are now invited. Such a fun feeling of excitement being there at the conference center. I cannot get over how incredible the sound is in that place. The choir (composed of girls and ladies of ages 8 and up from Magna, Hunter, and other surrounding areas) sounded like a recording that was doubled up to make their sound bigger and stronger, but I know its just because of how the sound/acoustics are engineered in the conference center. It sounded so good!We went to the cabin and the ranch this weekend, so it was super action packed and with all the rain it was crazy, but fun.We are so blessed. I am so happy to be closer to family, to just be able to stop by both of our parents houses whenever. Its so nice to see family so much. What blessings and joy come from family!Well have a great week! The church is true and the book is blue :) Love,-Stef
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Re: Quickie
It was always broken for mom. Poor mom. I just don't know how Max was able to keep his "angle" straight when the pad kept moving. True talent. :)
On Tuesday, September 23, 2014, Rosey <roseybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Mom, it seems strange that the pads were never broken for anybody else... :) teasing!
Sent from my iPhoneI was always so impressed with Max's football skills. He and Caroline would sit there on the couch for hours, and I could never quite figure it out. I was impressed with Max and Louie's skills in that game.On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 10:38 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Funny memories. I swear the pads were always broken when I tried. They never kept track of my score properly! :) I did not like DDR! Fun letter Jane.
Sent from my iPadI would just like to note, for future family records, that I was able to do moderate level on DDR sooner than anybody else in the family, including Max! The problem is, max continued to progress in his skills, while I just kept doing moderate...oh well! I love that game! I wish we still had it.
Sent from my iPhoneHey Max-After last weeks LONG email, I'll make this a quick hello.Yesterday Warner and I were driving in the car and the song "Brick House" came on. I'm curious if you think of the same thing as I think of.....which is.....DDR (and in case you forgot what that means: Dance Dance Revolution.) Remember those good old days? I got telling Warner that the song reminded me of doing DDR (I didn't ever like dancing to that song...but I definitely remember it being one of the options.) He was asking me if I was very good at it and I told him I was okay, but not the best. I had my two songs that I really liked and thought I did pretty good at, but I couldn't go crazy fast. And then an image of you doing DDR popped into my head and it made me laugh. You were WAY good at it. You could go so so so fast that there was sweat dripping down your face by the end of the song. It wasn't even dancing, it was pure craziness. Haha. I bragged to Warner about how good you were at it and he thought it was funny.Then I got thinking about your x-box football days and that made me smile. That was never one that I felt like "consumed" your life, it was more of an after school relaxer for a little while instead of watching TV. And then when you won the major award....what is it, the Heisman Award? You made Mom come watch. Haha. You're so funny.Good times. Seems like there was something else I was going to write you, but I can't remember what it was. Oh well. Life is good here.I hope that the opening of the new area is going well. That's a huge responsibility and the president must really respect and trust you. Glad you are that kind of missionary! Keep it up. We love you and pray for you daily.Love, JaneyTuesday, September 23, 2014
Re: Quickie
Mom, it seems strange that the pads were never broken for anybody else... :) teasing!
Sent from my iPhoneI was always so impressed with Max's football skills. He and Caroline would sit there on the couch for hours, and I could never quite figure it out. I was impressed with Max and Louie's skills in that game.On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 10:38 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Funny memories. I swear the pads were always broken when I tried. They never kept track of my score properly! :) I did not like DDR! Fun letter Jane.
Sent from my iPadI would just like to note, for future family records, that I was able to do moderate level on DDR sooner than anybody else in the family, including Max! The problem is, max continued to progress in his skills, while I just kept doing moderate...oh well! I love that game! I wish we still had it.
Sent from my iPhoneHey Max-After last weeks LONG email, I'll make this a quick hello.Yesterday Warner and I were driving in the car and the song "Brick House" came on. I'm curious if you think of the same thing as I think of.....which is.....DDR (and in case you forgot what that means: Dance Dance Revolution.) Remember those good old days? I got telling Warner that the song reminded me of doing DDR (I didn't ever like dancing to that song...but I definitely remember it being one of the options.) He was asking me if I was very good at it and I told him I was okay, but not the best. I had my two songs that I really liked and thought I did pretty good at, but I couldn't go crazy fast. And then an image of you doing DDR popped into my head and it made me laugh. You were WAY good at it. You could go so so so fast that there was sweat dripping down your face by the end of the song. It wasn't even dancing, it was pure craziness. Haha. I bragged to Warner about how good you were at it and he thought it was funny.Then I got thinking about your x-box football days and that made me smile. That was never one that I felt like "consumed" your life, it was more of an after school relaxer for a little while instead of watching TV. And then when you won the major award....what is it, the Heisman Award? You made Mom come watch. Haha. You're so funny.Good times. Seems like there was something else I was going to write you, but I can't remember what it was. Oh well. Life is good here.I hope that the opening of the new area is going well. That's a huge responsibility and the president must really respect and trust you. Glad you are that kind of missionary! Keep it up. We love you and pray for you daily.Love, JaneyMonday, September 22, 2014
Re: What's up Elda?
That was very nice if you and mom to give that brother the shirt. Hopefully he will graciously receive it and wear it!!
On Sunday, September 21, 2014, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,
So the regular questions pop up when you have a new area:
- What's your address there in Elda?
- Who's your companion (where's he from, how long's he been out, has he served anywhere you've served or with anyone you've served with)?
- How are the members in your new city? You said there were 20 members… are they at all active going to Elchie for church or not? Have you been authorized to start a new branch in the area?
- Uncle Sid told us last week that he served in Elchie. So perhaps you'll find someone there who knows Sid. I'd get pictures, it might be worth $100 from him as well.
- Do you have a place to sleep in Elda or are you sleeping with the Elchie Elders?
Today has been a wonderful day. We got to go to 2 sessions of the Odgen Temple Rededication. Mom and I were both able to usher at the doors of the Stake Center (Institute) which for the day was an extension of the temple. So we used our temple voices (whispers). We only spoke when we needed to. And we welcomed people into 'the temple' as they came and found their seats. I was at the 'recommend desk' for the two sessions and it was fun to see so many people that I knew from our Granger 1st YSA ward.
Temple dedications are special in that you get to hear from some wonderful speakers talk about the purpose of life, why we build temples, how the lord feels about temples etc. Here was the line up as far as speakers.
- Elder Whitney Clayton, Sister Wixom (Primary), Elder Bednar, President Monson
- Elder???, Sister Bonnie Oscarson (YW Pres), Elder Holland, Pres Eyring
- Elder Robbins, Sister Linda Burton (RS Pres), Elder Ballard, Elder Oaks.
Their topics were powerful and helped us see past the drudgery of daily life and look beyond it to the eternities where the good stuff is.
I liked a concept that elder Clayton spoke about. He talked about how the savior was a healer. And he healed those who were blind, deaf, lame, leprous etc.. Then he pointed to us and said, who of us here can't take comfort from knowing the Lord will heal us as he healed those. Because which of us hasn't been blind (not seeing the good we can/should do) or deaf (ignoring the direction of the spirit to do our duty) or lame (not gone out and done the good that we had been called to do) or leperous (let the ugliness of the world pollute our minds and bodies).
He has the power and will do it, if we humble ourselves and ask. His mercy and his grace is sufficient for all of us.
That brought me great calm and peace…as I know my own weaknesses.
So there you have it. Great spirit. Great day.
I also helped take down 500 chairs afterwards. Our ward that I support was given the assignment. Fortunately we have some great brethren who came to help. The EQP is a great man, but he is learning about personal hygiene. It is hilarious to me that his head is so in the right place when it comes to people, and serving them, and visiting others, etc. but when it comes to taking care of his appearance, he is totally clueless (or maybe mindless is better). His white shirts are always sooooo wrinkled that it is painful for me to even watch him sometimes. The color of the thin-bare shirt is grey…literally. Anyway, I work closely with this brother all day, and one day when we were talking about how important ti was that the elder's came dressed properly to bless and pass the sacrament that I address his higiene issue. I offered to buy him a new shirt if it would help. So when mom and I were at the temple yesterday, we stopped and got him 2 white shirts. He was grateful, but I had to laugh that as soon as I handed it to him (on a hanger, and properly ironed) he crumpled it and basically tossed it in the back seat of his car. I was dumbfounded. Anyway, we'll see if he comes dressed any better, or if he took offense and will never wear the shirts again.
Well, I'll let you keep reading other letters. So I'll check out with my love for you and my prayers that you'll continue faithful in your service to the Lord and his children here.
Love
Dad
--
Bret Bassett - PMP | International Product Manager |
4268 Sherm Circle West Valley City UT. 84120
Home: 801.968-0760 | Cell: 801.815.5860 | bretbassett@gmail.com
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Re: No title -stef
If it bumps to a quarter let me know - I'll be over!
Sent from my iPhoneGreat letter Honey! I'm amazed at all you manage to keep up with...I'm just doing my best to keep up with YOU!Dad, that cracks me up about Bret. I knew he was dissatisfied with the fact that we ask him to do jobs around the house, but he never told me he felt like I was a cheap-skate for only giving him a penny per rock. That cracks me up. I may bump it up to 2 or 3 cents per rock, but not a quarter!On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 11:09 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Great letter. We will pray for Kyle!
Sent from my iPadRosey got the chance to visit with little Bret on facetime tonight. When Rosey asked if they have got the backyard all fixed up yet, he grumbled and said that they can't bring the grass until he and clay get all the rocks out of the yard. He said he gets like a penny for each rock, and that bugs him cuz he thinks he should be getting at least 25 cents for each rock. It was too funny to hear him describe how hard he works around the house and how it's all work, work, work and no fun. I just want to applaud dear Stef... Supermom is right!Loves to allDadOn Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Wish I could hear Ned and clays songs. Cute boys. You're a trooper to keep up the driving....that is a lot of miles. Super mom STEF!
On Sunday, September 21, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,I will try to follow suit(e)? and be short. This week has been insane. I felt like I was never home. I drove 300 miles in the van-oh and that wasn't counting Monday until 5PM when I gassed up. I wanted to kind of keep track this week and holy cow that is a lot of mileage.Bret is loving school-except that it eats into his playtime. He is a good boy and is learning lots. He is really smart in math and doing great at his reading too. I am proud of him for overcoming that reading barrier :)!Clay is loving preschool and he comes home and sings the most amazing songs I have heard from preschool. Even with 18 other 4 year olds in the same room, I am amazed he is still learning. His teacher should go straight to heaven.Ned is too too cute and funny. He will randomly start singing ROAR and That girl is on fire as well as "lead me guide me walk beside me" unless you are his family, you would probably have no idea what he is saying, but it is soooo funny to me. He is way into Big Kisses and helping out.My adult dance class has been fun. There were 10 girls the first class, 4 the second and 6 the third, with so many more who say they are coming and then don't show..... it's hard for adults to be committed to stuff outside their families and I totally understand. I was able to talk to the studio owner down in price per hour for the ladies, so hopefully the numbers will keep rising. We are going to do our first film in a couple weeks and I am pumped!!I have also had this desire to do a dance/music video to your song fly ever since I heard it. We should make that happen when you get home :) it would be so super fun!Our backyard is all groomed with sprinklers and a landscape design ready to have sod laid when it gets here in a couple weeks! The kids have still had oodles of fun playing in the dirt, its just a super big pain because they get so dirty every day from it.The primary missionary activity was soooo awesome yesterday. Every kid and adult there had a great time. I could't believe the immaculate set up. And who doesn't love an opportunity to share about their mission??? The kids got to do service, write missionaries, do door approaches, street contacts, iron a shirt (not with a plugged in iron), tie a tie, fold clothes in a suitcase, sew on a button, have language training, have a class with the real missionaries, and a zone conference with the ward mission leader. It was awesome!And finish the week and this letter off with a bang! The temple dedication was so good!!! One of the things that Elder Holland shared in his talk was that a temple recommend is so much more than an entrance pass to the temple. Its evidence that we are trying our very best to live worthy of all the covenants we have made with Heavenly Father. I loved that! What a neat thing to be a part of.Oh yes, one more thing, my little brother Kyle just got engaged today. They are thinking of December....while the manner of his situation isn't the greatest, I am glad he at least wants to move forward with his life and try again. After he got divorced, he didn't seem like he would ever marry. Hopefully this is a good thing in the end. Pray for him. Families are forever if we hold up our end of the covenants. Love ya Max, have a great week!-Stef
Re: No title -stef
Great letter Honey! I'm amazed at all you manage to keep up with...I'm just doing my best to keep up with YOU!Dad, that cracks me up about Bret. I knew he was dissatisfied with the fact that we ask him to do jobs around the house, but he never told me he felt like I was a cheap-skate for only giving him a penny per rock. That cracks me up. I may bump it up to 2 or 3 cents per rock, but not a quarter!On Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 11:09 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Great letter. We will pray for Kyle!
Sent from my iPadRosey got the chance to visit with little Bret on facetime tonight. When Rosey asked if they have got the backyard all fixed up yet, he grumbled and said that they can't bring the grass until he and clay get all the rocks out of the yard. He said he gets like a penny for each rock, and that bugs him cuz he thinks he should be getting at least 25 cents for each rock. It was too funny to hear him describe how hard he works around the house and how it's all work, work, work and no fun. I just want to applaud dear Stef... Supermom is right!Loves to allDadOn Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Wish I could hear Ned and clays songs. Cute boys. You're a trooper to keep up the driving....that is a lot of miles. Super mom STEF!
On Sunday, September 21, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,I will try to follow suit(e)? and be short. This week has been insane. I felt like I was never home. I drove 300 miles in the van-oh and that wasn't counting Monday until 5PM when I gassed up. I wanted to kind of keep track this week and holy cow that is a lot of mileage.Bret is loving school-except that it eats into his playtime. He is a good boy and is learning lots. He is really smart in math and doing great at his reading too. I am proud of him for overcoming that reading barrier :)!Clay is loving preschool and he comes home and sings the most amazing songs I have heard from preschool. Even with 18 other 4 year olds in the same room, I am amazed he is still learning. His teacher should go straight to heaven.Ned is too too cute and funny. He will randomly start singing ROAR and That girl is on fire as well as "lead me guide me walk beside me" unless you are his family, you would probably have no idea what he is saying, but it is soooo funny to me. He is way into Big Kisses and helping out.My adult dance class has been fun. There were 10 girls the first class, 4 the second and 6 the third, with so many more who say they are coming and then don't show..... it's hard for adults to be committed to stuff outside their families and I totally understand. I was able to talk to the studio owner down in price per hour for the ladies, so hopefully the numbers will keep rising. We are going to do our first film in a couple weeks and I am pumped!!I have also had this desire to do a dance/music video to your song fly ever since I heard it. We should make that happen when you get home :) it would be so super fun!Our backyard is all groomed with sprinklers and a landscape design ready to have sod laid when it gets here in a couple weeks! The kids have still had oodles of fun playing in the dirt, its just a super big pain because they get so dirty every day from it.The primary missionary activity was soooo awesome yesterday. Every kid and adult there had a great time. I could't believe the immaculate set up. And who doesn't love an opportunity to share about their mission??? The kids got to do service, write missionaries, do door approaches, street contacts, iron a shirt (not with a plugged in iron), tie a tie, fold clothes in a suitcase, sew on a button, have language training, have a class with the real missionaries, and a zone conference with the ward mission leader. It was awesome!And finish the week and this letter off with a bang! The temple dedication was so good!!! One of the things that Elder Holland shared in his talk was that a temple recommend is so much more than an entrance pass to the temple. Its evidence that we are trying our very best to live worthy of all the covenants we have made with Heavenly Father. I loved that! What a neat thing to be a part of.Oh yes, one more thing, my little brother Kyle just got engaged today. They are thinking of December....while the manner of his situation isn't the greatest, I am glad he at least wants to move forward with his life and try again. After he got divorced, he didn't seem like he would ever marry. Hopefully this is a good thing in the end. Pray for him. Families are forever if we hold up our end of the covenants. Love ya Max, have a great week!-Stef
Sunday, September 21, 2014
What's up Elda?
Dear Max,
So the regular questions pop up when you have a new area:
- What's your address there in Elda?
- Who's your companion (where's he from, how long's he been out, has he served anywhere you've served or with anyone you've served with)?
- How are the members in your new city? You said there were 20 members… are they at all active going to Elchie for church or not? Have you been authorized to start a new branch in the area?
- Uncle Sid told us last week that he served in Elchie. So perhaps you'll find someone there who knows Sid. I'd get pictures, it might be worth $100 from him as well.
- Do you have a place to sleep in Elda or are you sleeping with the Elchie Elders?
Today has been a wonderful day. We got to go to 2 sessions of the Odgen Temple Rededication. Mom and I were both able to usher at the doors of the Stake Center (Institute) which for the day was an extension of the temple. So we used our temple voices (whispers). We only spoke when we needed to. And we welcomed people into 'the temple' as they came and found their seats. I was at the 'recommend desk' for the two sessions and it was fun to see so many people that I knew from our Granger 1st YSA ward.
Temple dedications are special in that you get to hear from some wonderful speakers talk about the purpose of life, why we build temples, how the lord feels about temples etc. Here was the line up as far as speakers.
- Elder Whitney Clayton, Sister Wixom (Primary), Elder Bednar, President Monson
- Elder???, Sister Bonnie Oscarson (YW Pres), Elder Holland, Pres Eyring
- Elder Robbins, Sister Linda Burton (RS Pres), Elder Ballard, Elder Oaks.
Their topics were powerful and helped us see past the drudgery of daily life and look beyond it to the eternities where the good stuff is.
I liked a concept that elder Clayton spoke about. He talked about how the savior was a healer. And he healed those who were blind, deaf, lame, leprous etc.. Then he pointed to us and said, who of us here can't take comfort from knowing the Lord will heal us as he healed those. Because which of us hasn't been blind (not seeing the good we can/should do) or deaf (ignoring the direction of the spirit to do our duty) or lame (not gone out and done the good that we had been called to do) or leperous (let the ugliness of the world pollute our minds and bodies).
He has the power and will do it, if we humble ourselves and ask. His mercy and his grace is sufficient for all of us.
That brought me great calm and peace…as I know my own weaknesses.
So there you have it. Great spirit. Great day.
I also helped take down 500 chairs afterwards. Our ward that I support was given the assignment. Fortunately we have some great brethren who came to help. The EQP is a great man, but he is learning about personal hygiene. It is hilarious to me that his head is so in the right place when it comes to people, and serving them, and visiting others, etc. but when it comes to taking care of his appearance, he is totally clueless (or maybe mindless is better). His white shirts are always sooooo wrinkled that it is painful for me to even watch him sometimes. The color of the thin-bare shirt is grey…literally. Anyway, I work closely with this brother all day, and one day when we were talking about how important ti was that the elder's came dressed properly to bless and pass the sacrament that I address his higiene issue. I offered to buy him a new shirt if it would help. So when mom and I were at the temple yesterday, we stopped and got him 2 white shirts. He was grateful, but I had to laugh that as soon as I handed it to him (on a hanger, and properly ironed) he crumpled it and basically tossed it in the back seat of his car. I was dumbfounded. Anyway, we'll see if he comes dressed any better, or if he took offense and will never wear the shirts again.
Well, I'll let you keep reading other letters. So I'll check out with my love for you and my prayers that you'll continue faithful in your service to the Lord and his children here.
Love
Dad
--
Bret Bassett - PMP | International Product Manager |
4268 Sherm Circle West Valley City UT. 84120
Home: 801.968-0760 | Cell: 801.815.5860 | bretbassett@gmail.com
Re: Birthday Week
These are chaotic times at their best. Kristi you are great to be able to live through it all with a smile. Rosey has learned how to deal with hard things by saying to herself, 'Now won't this make a great story?' Thanks for recording the sweet stories. Glad to hear you're connected from people at church, home and schools. You're great to make connections.We are praying for Blaine to make it through a nother week of a tough job. Do something great on his birthday.Loves.DadOn Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 10:55 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Loved, loved the letter. Well except for the rattlesnakes in the garage part. THAT IS AWFUL!!! Please tell me you were joking! How am I ever going to get the courage to come visit?Also, just for the record for anyone else reading this, grandma and grandpa (yes us) DID send Bentley a birthday gift. It just arrived late. Ben was so sweet to call and thank us. Love you guys. Were praying especially hard for Blaine at work and for Tess and her eye appt.
Sent from my iPadHey Max!We are getting settled in Texas and the weeks are starting to fly by! I had the chance to speak in church last Sunday. It's a chance I would prefer to not ever have to have but I'm glad it is over with for now!For the first time in many months our weeks are settling in to a comfortable routine. Blaine leaves for work early, hopefully stopping at the gym on his way in. I get up with the kids at 6:30am. Well… technically I get up with Tess somewhere between 1am and 5am and then fight for a few precious moments of sleep between whenever she wakes up and 6:30, when I have to wake the kids up. There is lots of yelling and chaos as we race to get out the door by 7:10 and I drive them to school. I always step very trepidatiously out in to our garage as apparently it is not uncommon at all to find rattlesnakes in your garage here (gulp). Once the kids are in school Tess and I come home and try to tidy up the place, many days there is a repair guy coming (still trying to work out some issues with our AC and garage door, etc.) so we have to stick around. On Tuesdays I have been going to a Zumba class with some friends in the ward. It's not quite as amazing as my instructor in Utah but I've been having fun. I pick up the kids at 2:55 and then homework, playing, dinner and bed. The days are packed and are routine in such a beautiful way. I have had way too many exciting days this summer, boring days are such a blessing!* We had some CRAZY rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, Wednesday morning at 2AM a storm rolled in and it seriously was like someone was standing right out our window with a strobe light for two hours. It was perhaps the most lightning intense storm I've ever been in (and I've been in some crazy ones!). It was probably amplified by the fact that from our bedroom we have windows on three sides of the house, so light was flashing in from all over the house. A house in our neighborhood even caught on fire from a lightning strike ( as well as SIX other houses in Austin). Between 2 and 3 am nearly FIVE inches of rain fell. That was a miracle! Things are so dry here in Texas. It was a crazy amount of rain to fall in such a short time. And then the next night, it happened again (minus the intense lightning which was fine by me!). So in 48 hours we, in our little neighborhood, got about 8 inches of rain. There is a little grassy valley thing as we walk the kids to school that is always just grass, the day after the rains it was literally a lake, full to the brim! We were loving it and pray for more rain in the future. Because as much rain as that was it doesn't even dent the drought conditions here. But it was so nice for the lawn and plants and animals to get some much needed water!* Bentley turned the big 7 this week! We made german pancakes for breakfast. He wanted me to come have lunch with him at school. The crazy thing is his lunch is at 10:39 AM! Ha ha. I wanted to bring him a Happy Meal from McDonald's to make it special. I ordered one at the drive thru and the guy said, "no". ha ha, I guess they don't serve lunch until 10:30. So he got a sausage mcmuffin :). I also brought him a donut from The Donut Hole, a pretty locally famous little donut shop. I picked up a kolache for me, which is like…bread stuffed with any number of things, mine was spinach artichoke and it was delicious :).I had fun having lunch with him at school and seeing his friends. I passed by Ivy in the cafeteria too (she has lunch even earlier if you can believe that!). He was so cute wearing his little birthday crown his teacher had given him. What a happy, sweet guy. After his lunch I figured I may as well wait and sit with Gwen in her lunch too. What I didn't realize is that Gwen's lunch didn't start till a full hour and a half later. It was a long wait and I probably should have just gone home, but it was fun to surprise Gwen and sit with her.That night we has black bean soup for dinner (his second favorite dinner, after pizza). We enjoyed a call from Nick and Stef, and opened presents! He got a Star Wars game for the Kinect, a puzzle game called "rush hour", a joke book, and a set of pokemon cards. We spent an hour trying to figure out pokemon. It was so over my head! It was funny to hear Blaine read the instructions, step two was, "Put Pumpkabo on the bench. Note that you can't evolve Pumpkaboo into Gourgeist, because Pumpkabo just came into play. Then attach an eye Energy to Spoink. Then you will use Spoink's Splash Attack and put one damage counter on Fletchling". That's about when my brain imploded and I just had to laugh watching Blaine so diligently reading such nonsense out loud :)I think he had a good birthday, he was the most excited about the gifts Gwen gave him -- oreos, orange fanta, two crunch bars and a funny little monkey thing. Gwen is very generous!Oh and a funny quick story … at 11;45PM the night before Ben's birthday, my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat, as it often does when my phone rings. Turns out it was my dad. I was sure he was calling to tell me that my mom had died or something. Oh no, he asked for Bentley. "DAD? You want to talk to Bentley???" He said, "Well, yeah, I want to wish him a happy birthday!". Then I asked if he knew what time it was, ha ha. Apparently he was a little confused about the time difference between Utah and TExas. I think he thought we were two hours earlier than Utah, when in reality we are just one hour later. It was really funny and he was really embarrassed, didn't even have the heart to tell him that Ben's birthday wasn't even until the next day :)I don't know if you remember but last year we threw Ben a crazy Elephant and Piggy Birthday party (his favorite books). I think he now thinks every birthday party will be that intense. Ugh. He kept asking about a birthday party and would say funny stuff like, "well maybe we could just have one or two friends over for pizza. Then maybe we could just go to a bounce house place, and stop for ice cream and maybe go swimming or something". Wow, the kid can dream big. He is so sweet though that I wanted to do something. So I told him we could invite his two friends from the ward, Caleb and Kale, and we would make homemade pizza and they could play the xbox. Simple enough, right?Well, Caleb's mom had just had a baby, so we invited his little brother Andy to join the party. Then Kale's mom was out of town and Andy is best friends with Kale's little brother, so I felt bad not including him. So we invited Lincoln to join the fray. But that would leave just one littler brother who wasn't invited. So we invited him too. Then of course when I picked up Gwen from school she begged to have her friend come over. Sure! Why not! So my simple party five kids total (mine included), had morphed in to nine kids, and one screamy little baby, oh and Blaine was super stressed at work so he wouldn't be home to help.The whole thing was such a hilarious mess. Literally moments after all nine kids were here, Ben asked me if he could go in his room and play on the iPad, alone. Seriously? AGH! And then at another point I went up to find all the kids just watching Bentley' play xbox. I didn't really have time to be supervising because I was busy making pizza dough.And let me just tell you, having nine kids make their own pizzas on your four person table…well, it's exciting.And then the first batch of pizzas (could only fit three on per time), somehow during cooking got like GLUED to my pizza stone. That's when Tess decided to start screaming bloody murder. Anyway. Pure, unadulterated CHAOS for two and a half hours. At one point I was nursing Tess, while spooning pizza sauce on to pizzas. Modestly was the least of my priorities, and no one seemed to mind. AGH!Anyway, eventually it was time for cupcakes and we had two more kids over. Our sweet neighbors Arjun and Aarya. We ride bikes with them every night at 7. They are from India and we just love them. I've never seen their eyes so wide when they came in the door to see the circus that was happening with so many kids.It was an unforgettable birthday, that's for sure.We had the missionaries over for dinner last night, that was really fun and made us think of you!Oh and a baby gecko got stuck in one of my sticky traps that I set out for scorpions. It was still alive when I found it and I was in moral angst about whether to kill it or let it die a slow painful death of starvation, or to try and get it off. Blaine must love me a lot because he tried to save it. In the process it lost it's tail :( and also I am pretty sure it didn't survive anyway. I t was really very sad.I am certain this is way more detail than you needed about our week, sorry about that :) Now it is off to church! Blaine is really stressed with work, but we are so grateful to be here and for all of our bounteous blessings, especially good health! Tess goes to the eye doctor this week, keep her in your prayers!Love you Max!Re: Letter from Blaine, September 21, 2014
Blaine - I loved the pictures probably almost as much as you did. I just love seeing those kinds of details. Also, count us in for a trip over to Spain. That would be so fun!! Missing you and praying for you. But I know you guys are in the right place for you.
Sent from my iPadHey Max,I will have to make this one quick. I was really glad that Kristi wrote earlier about so many details of our week. It has been a fun one and she captured all that really well. Work has been stressful—starting a new job is always tough and beginning a new career and looking down the barrel of it has got to be particularly overwhelming—but I'm getting by and our home life has been remarkably smooth and fun so far. We had friends over for dessert tonight. We play with friends out in the circle just about every night. We had about a dozen kids over for Bentley's birthday party. Etc. etc. Nothing could ever take the place of family and we love and miss everybody so much, but we are grateful that the Lord has prepared all these fun people here to fill our lives at this time. So life is good.The other reason I had to write in spite of Kristi's great letter is that I just had to respond to your fun letter and pictures from last week. First of all, as far as going back to Chiclana with you, count me in! I can't wait to see all of those people again too, and it will be so much more fun and meaningful since you have refreshed their memories about who I am. Hopefully you have people's information so we can look them up. I will start saving vacation time now—I can't wait!!! As for your going to my old piso, that was SOOOO fun to see! I was afraid that it wouldn't actually be it, because when you mentioned it a long time ago, you said the address was on like Jupiter street instead of Pluto so I didn't think it was the same place. But this was on Calle Pluton, right? I was really excited to see the pictures, because it really was the same house, even though it was different than I remember it in my mind's eye. I had forgotten about the spiral staircase and all the archways. The roof was a little different than I was thinking, but as I stared at the pictures it kind of started coming back to me. Anyway, the whole thing was such a trip and I really appreciated you sending so many pictures. I'm not sure how interesting they were to anyone else, but I devoured every one!Well, I said this would be short and for once I really mean it. I hope life is good in your new area. I will think of you as I break into new "areas" in my work life and deal with all that challenges that come with new things. I have no doubt that you are the person the Lord has prepared to get this area going on the right foot, so good luck with that! I have not even heard of the area. I'm guessing it is outside the boundaries as they were when I was there, or maybe it's just a pueblo that we had no missionaries in. Which reminds me, do you guys have missionaries across Gibralter in Ceuta and Melilla (Morocco)? We used to have some over there back in the day, but those areas got shut down shortly before 9/11 happened and I'm not sure if they have ever been opened back up. I'm just curious.Anyway, love you and so proud of you!Blaine--
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Re: No title -stef
Great letter. We will pray for Kyle!
Sent from my iPadRosey got the chance to visit with little Bret on facetime tonight. When Rosey asked if they have got the backyard all fixed up yet, he grumbled and said that they can't bring the grass until he and clay get all the rocks out of the yard. He said he gets like a penny for each rock, and that bugs him cuz he thinks he should be getting at least 25 cents for each rock. It was too funny to hear him describe how hard he works around the house and how it's all work, work, work and no fun. I just want to applaud dear Stef... Supermom is right!Loves to allDadOn Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Wish I could hear Ned and clays songs. Cute boys. You're a trooper to keep up the driving....that is a lot of miles. Super mom STEF!
On Sunday, September 21, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,I will try to follow suit(e)? and be short. This week has been insane. I felt like I was never home. I drove 300 miles in the van-oh and that wasn't counting Monday until 5PM when I gassed up. I wanted to kind of keep track this week and holy cow that is a lot of mileage.Bret is loving school-except that it eats into his playtime. He is a good boy and is learning lots. He is really smart in math and doing great at his reading too. I am proud of him for overcoming that reading barrier :)!Clay is loving preschool and he comes home and sings the most amazing songs I have heard from preschool. Even with 18 other 4 year olds in the same room, I am amazed he is still learning. His teacher should go straight to heaven.Ned is too too cute and funny. He will randomly start singing ROAR and That girl is on fire as well as "lead me guide me walk beside me" unless you are his family, you would probably have no idea what he is saying, but it is soooo funny to me. He is way into Big Kisses and helping out.My adult dance class has been fun. There were 10 girls the first class, 4 the second and 6 the third, with so many more who say they are coming and then don't show..... it's hard for adults to be committed to stuff outside their families and I totally understand. I was able to talk to the studio owner down in price per hour for the ladies, so hopefully the numbers will keep rising. We are going to do our first film in a couple weeks and I am pumped!!I have also had this desire to do a dance/music video to your song fly ever since I heard it. We should make that happen when you get home :) it would be so super fun!Our backyard is all groomed with sprinklers and a landscape design ready to have sod laid when it gets here in a couple weeks! The kids have still had oodles of fun playing in the dirt, its just a super big pain because they get so dirty every day from it.The primary missionary activity was soooo awesome yesterday. Every kid and adult there had a great time. I could't believe the immaculate set up. And who doesn't love an opportunity to share about their mission??? The kids got to do service, write missionaries, do door approaches, street contacts, iron a shirt (not with a plugged in iron), tie a tie, fold clothes in a suitcase, sew on a button, have language training, have a class with the real missionaries, and a zone conference with the ward mission leader. It was awesome!And finish the week and this letter off with a bang! The temple dedication was so good!!! One of the things that Elder Holland shared in his talk was that a temple recommend is so much more than an entrance pass to the temple. Its evidence that we are trying our very best to live worthy of all the covenants we have made with Heavenly Father. I loved that! What a neat thing to be a part of.Oh yes, one more thing, my little brother Kyle just got engaged today. They are thinking of December....while the manner of his situation isn't the greatest, I am glad he at least wants to move forward with his life and try again. After he got divorced, he didn't seem like he would ever marry. Hopefully this is a good thing in the end. Pray for him. Families are forever if we hold up our end of the covenants. Love ya Max, have a great week!-Stef
Re: No title -stef
Rosey got the chance to visit with little Bret on facetime tonight. When Rosey asked if they have got the backyard all fixed up yet, he grumbled and said that they can't bring the grass until he and clay get all the rocks out of the yard. He said he gets like a penny for each rock, and that bugs him cuz he thinks he should be getting at least 25 cents for each rock. It was too funny to hear him describe how hard he works around the house and how it's all work, work, work and no fun. I just want to applaud dear Stef... Supermom is right!Loves to allDadOn Sun, Sep 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:Wish I could hear Ned and clays songs. Cute boys. You're a trooper to keep up the driving....that is a lot of miles. Super mom STEF!
On Sunday, September 21, 2014, Stefanie Bassett <stef.m.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Max,I will try to follow suit(e)? and be short. This week has been insane. I felt like I was never home. I drove 300 miles in the van-oh and that wasn't counting Monday until 5PM when I gassed up. I wanted to kind of keep track this week and holy cow that is a lot of mileage.Bret is loving school-except that it eats into his playtime. He is a good boy and is learning lots. He is really smart in math and doing great at his reading too. I am proud of him for overcoming that reading barrier :)!Clay is loving preschool and he comes home and sings the most amazing songs I have heard from preschool. Even with 18 other 4 year olds in the same room, I am amazed he is still learning. His teacher should go straight to heaven.Ned is too too cute and funny. He will randomly start singing ROAR and That girl is on fire as well as "lead me guide me walk beside me" unless you are his family, you would probably have no idea what he is saying, but it is soooo funny to me. He is way into Big Kisses and helping out.My adult dance class has been fun. There were 10 girls the first class, 4 the second and 6 the third, with so many more who say they are coming and then don't show..... it's hard for adults to be committed to stuff outside their families and I totally understand. I was able to talk to the studio owner down in price per hour for the ladies, so hopefully the numbers will keep rising. We are going to do our first film in a couple weeks and I am pumped!!I have also had this desire to do a dance/music video to your song fly ever since I heard it. We should make that happen when you get home :) it would be so super fun!Our backyard is all groomed with sprinklers and a landscape design ready to have sod laid when it gets here in a couple weeks! The kids have still had oodles of fun playing in the dirt, its just a super big pain because they get so dirty every day from it.The primary missionary activity was soooo awesome yesterday. Every kid and adult there had a great time. I could't believe the immaculate set up. And who doesn't love an opportunity to share about their mission??? The kids got to do service, write missionaries, do door approaches, street contacts, iron a shirt (not with a plugged in iron), tie a tie, fold clothes in a suitcase, sew on a button, have language training, have a class with the real missionaries, and a zone conference with the ward mission leader. It was awesome!And finish the week and this letter off with a bang! The temple dedication was so good!!! One of the things that Elder Holland shared in his talk was that a temple recommend is so much more than an entrance pass to the temple. Its evidence that we are trying our very best to live worthy of all the covenants we have made with Heavenly Father. I loved that! What a neat thing to be a part of.Oh yes, one more thing, my little brother Kyle just got engaged today. They are thinking of December....while the manner of his situation isn't the greatest, I am glad he at least wants to move forward with his life and try again. After he got divorced, he didn't seem like he would ever marry. Hopefully this is a good thing in the end. Pray for him. Families are forever if we hold up our end of the covenants. Love ya Max, have a great week!-Stef
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