Re: Love from Mom

Great letter mom! We're so proud of all you're doing.  Fun video Kris - that Ivy is a sweet one :)

On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 5:49 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Mom, thanks for the nice message on my talk and the program, so glad it's over.

Kris, that video is hilarious! 

On Monday, October 27, 2014, K Bass <kristi.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Did this work?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 26, 2014, at 11:52 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dearest Max,
>
> First and most important - what is your current address?  I have a hard copy letter I want to send and we never got your address.
>
> Happy Halloween!  Do they celebrate Halloween in Spain?  I am really happy Halloween falls on a Friday this year as that means I don't go to work, which means I don't have to dress up.  As you know, I am not much for costumes.  Last year I was a BYU football player.  I think I would be ridiculed in that costume this year since they are doing so poorly!
>
> Speaking of Halloween, we did a fun thing last Friday.  Dad's Riverton office had a trick or treat party where employees decorated their cubicles and kids of employees got to dress up and come.  I picked up Bret, Clay and Ned and they were all dressed so cute (a leopard, a tiger and an elephant) and we went to the party.  Dad had taken the old stand up figures and fixed up his area.  Then he walked with us to all three floors of the building to trick or treat.  Some offices had gone all out.  Like I am guessing no work was done for a few days on the north side of the 4th floor where Hogwarts was located.  They had used black plastic and cardboard and made a train (the "windows" were computer screens cut out of the plastic showing the scenery going by) and there was a dining hall and then a crazy maze.  Honestly they went all out!!!  Another area had done kind of a spook alley. Bret informed me that he gets scared very easily and that Clay and Ned are much braver.  But we all got brave and went in!   It was all fun but the best part being with those cute kiddos.  And the good thing is that their dad has taught them all about "taxes" so they were willing to share the loot.   It was a fun time.
>
> Today was a full Sabbath.  At 9 am I went to hear Jakobe Swenson report his mission.  Wow has he grown up!  He gave a wonderful report.  Then at 11 I went to Janey and Warner's ward where the children did the sacrament meeting program and Janey spoke as primary president.   It was so organized and full of the spirit.  Janey's message was perfect and the kids sang out so well.  Frankly, it doesn't seems that long ago that Janey was up giving her part as a primary girl.  It was a payday for a mom!  Honestly, to quote 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  I am so blessed.
>
> From there I went to our YSA stake offices and had my monthly meeting with the Stake President.  Those meetings used to make me so nervous I could hardly stand it.  But I feel more comfortable each time.  I was prepared with things to discuss and then he said such kind things about our presidency that I felt really good.  Then I attended a YSA Relief Society where I shared a message and enjoyed their lesson.  Then tonight I got some visiting teaching done (in the home ward with Judy and Marianne Brown).  So it's been a full and happy day.  I really love my Sabbaths.  They are rarely ever "restful" but they are so different from the rest of the week that they are refreshing and uplifting in so many ways.
>
> I talked to Chris Shaw today.  He is at that age where his voice is getting deeper and his skin is not so clear, and I loved it.  And he still gives me hugs!  He has about 11 merit badges in the works and he told me he has it planned to get his Eagle award around the time you come home.
>
> Yesterday was the baby shower open house for Shaylee (Jeff's fiancé) and Kami and Angie.  I was so afraid it was going to be awkward and uncomfortable but it turned out very nice.  There was lots of love and I think that those girls felt it.  I felt like we were doing what the Savior would have us do.  That maybe sounds silly but I had stressed and prayed over this and I felt blessed.
>
> Well I know your time is limited so I must close.  I sure love and miss you.  I am reading in the middle of Alma in the Book of Mormon about all the good missionary stories and I think of you.  The gospel is true!
>
> Love,
> Mom
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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Re: Love from Mom

Mom, thanks for the nice message on my talk and the program, so glad it's over.

Kris, that video is hilarious! 

On Monday, October 27, 2014, K Bass <kristi.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Did this work?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 26, 2014, at 11:52 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dearest Max,
>
> First and most important - what is your current address?  I have a hard copy letter I want to send and we never got your address.
>
> Happy Halloween!  Do they celebrate Halloween in Spain?  I am really happy Halloween falls on a Friday this year as that means I don't go to work, which means I don't have to dress up.  As you know, I am not much for costumes.  Last year I was a BYU football player.  I think I would be ridiculed in that costume this year since they are doing so poorly!
>
> Speaking of Halloween, we did a fun thing last Friday.  Dad's Riverton office had a trick or treat party where employees decorated their cubicles and kids of employees got to dress up and come.  I picked up Bret, Clay and Ned and they were all dressed so cute (a leopard, a tiger and an elephant) and we went to the party.  Dad had taken the old stand up figures and fixed up his area.  Then he walked with us to all three floors of the building to trick or treat.  Some offices had gone all out.  Like I am guessing no work was done for a few days on the north side of the 4th floor where Hogwarts was located.  They had used black plastic and cardboard and made a train (the "windows" were computer screens cut out of the plastic showing the scenery going by) and there was a dining hall and then a crazy maze.  Honestly they went all out!!!  Another area had done kind of a spook alley. Bret informed me that he gets scared very easily and that Clay and Ned are much braver.  But we all got brave and went in!   It was all fun but the best part being with those cute kiddos.  And the good thing is that their dad has taught them all about "taxes" so they were willing to share the loot.   It was a fun time.
>
> Today was a full Sabbath.  At 9 am I went to hear Jakobe Swenson report his mission.  Wow has he grown up!  He gave a wonderful report.  Then at 11 I went to Janey and Warner's ward where the children did the sacrament meeting program and Janey spoke as primary president.   It was so organized and full of the spirit.  Janey's message was perfect and the kids sang out so well.  Frankly, it doesn't seems that long ago that Janey was up giving her part as a primary girl.  It was a payday for a mom!  Honestly, to quote 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  I am so blessed.
>
> From there I went to our YSA stake offices and had my monthly meeting with the Stake President.  Those meetings used to make me so nervous I could hardly stand it.  But I feel more comfortable each time.  I was prepared with things to discuss and then he said such kind things about our presidency that I felt really good.  Then I attended a YSA Relief Society where I shared a message and enjoyed their lesson.  Then tonight I got some visiting teaching done (in the home ward with Judy and Marianne Brown).  So it's been a full and happy day.  I really love my Sabbaths.  They are rarely ever "restful" but they are so different from the rest of the week that they are refreshing and uplifting in so many ways.
>
> I talked to Chris Shaw today.  He is at that age where his voice is getting deeper and his skin is not so clear, and I loved it.  And he still gives me hugs!  He has about 11 merit badges in the works and he told me he has it planned to get his Eagle award around the time you come home.
>
> Yesterday was the baby shower open house for Shaylee (Jeff's fiancé) and Kami and Angie.  I was so afraid it was going to be awkward and uncomfortable but it turned out very nice.  There was lots of love and I think that those girls felt it.  I felt like we were doing what the Savior would have us do.  That maybe sounds silly but I had stressed and prayed over this and I felt blessed.
>
> Well I know your time is limited so I must close.  I sure love and miss you.  I am reading in the middle of Alma in the Book of Mormon about all the good missionary stories and I think of you.  The gospel is true!
>
> Love,
> Mom
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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Re: Week 84 - Dad - Lost but then found

Wait, where in the car was it? 

On Sunday, October 26, 2014, bret bassett <bretbassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Week 84 - Dad (t-18) - Lost but then found

Sunday, October 26, 2014

10:14 PM

 

So it is now 10:15, and I just sent a long email to our YSA bishop who has been out of town giving him the lowdown on everything that happened today.  Whew!  We pack a lot in a day.  And you just can't get it all done.

 

But so now that that is done, I can turn to you and express some thoughts that I hope will be helpful.

 

1. The gospel is true.  Saving souls is critical to them, and to us.  Stay true.
2. YSA wards are filled with some unique souls with unique issues.  And it is filled with the most amazingly spiritual, committed and faithful people I know.  It is both a challenge and a blessing to serve.  Today, I feel more of the challenge side of things. 
3. Callings are for our benefit as well as for those we serve.  Whether you're a Bishop, a missionary, a member of a YSA bishopric, of stake ysa RS pres… all are blessed.  So I hope you'll always seek to be of service somewhere.  Sometimes to get a calling, you have to get a chance to meet with the Bishopric and let them know you would like to serve.  What a blessing to have people like that.

 

I am interviewing at the church for a regular job.  I hate to say anything about it, in case they find another candidate they like better, but I am hopeful.  It has also got me thinking about your request to check into internships for this summer.  I've been checking around, but haven't heard anything solid yet.  I'll keep things moving and get back to your soon.

 

Okay since it's late, and since I'm tired, I'm going to wrap it up with a funny story.  There has got to be a gospel principle in the story, but I haven't figured out what it is…yet.

 

So 2 weeks ago, for my birthday Mom got me a fit bit.  I then traded in the wrist variety for a pocket version which took another week to get here.   Then mom went on her magical trip to the grand canyon.  The day after she left, I lost the fitbit.  When she came home and heard that I had lost it, she was a little skeptical…that perhaps I had lost it intentionally… she never said the words, but I could feel it. (grin).  Anyway, I had turned the house, my car, my office, my downstairs office upside down.  And nothing.  And for 2 weeks, I kind of had this sense that it could still be around somewhere.  But I eventually gave up.  Then last night, as I tried to explain to mom (once again) where I had looked.  Then I pulled out my iphone which had a fitbit app.  And I noticed that it was trying to constantly synch with my fit bit and I looked at the last 2 weeks of history.  And found that each day it had between 0-250 steps on it.  That was kind of weird because the fit bit had to still be close by if it was going to synch.  But it wasn't in any clothes because then there would have been 1,000's of steps.  Anyway, then I walked through the house checking the synch status.  And if it was in range it would synch.  If it was out of range it wouldn't synch but would 'look' for the fitbit.  So I wandered through the house playing this electronic game of "Boola, Boola".    And I found that the fit bit was absolutely positively in the house somewhere - in the kitchen.  It wasn't in my back bedroom, not in the basement, not in my office, not I the bathrooms.  It seemed like it was in the kitchen.  So we cleaned out drawer after drawer.  But it was no where to be found.  It was sooooo weird.  I knew it was here, but couldn't find it.  Finally, I went outside and sat in the car and checked the synch status out there.  It was there as well.  So it had to be either in the kitchen o rin the car.  It was pitch black and I thought that I'd check it in the daylight.  But Rosey who had helped mom and I tear apart everything in the kitchen and tv room, was motivated.  So she grabbed a flashlight and headed out to the car.  With just that little bit of encouragement knowing it was either in the kitchen or in the car she went on the hunt with a flashlight.  Within a few minutes she announced she had found it.

 

It may be one of those things where you had to be there…but it was amazing, and weird at the same time.

 

Thanks again Rosey.

 

So there you have it.  Have a great week my missionary son.

 

Love,

 

Dad

--

 

Bret Bassett 

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: Letter from Blaine, October 26, 2014

I, too, love that you take time to write. You are amazing Blaine.  Keep it up.  I'm praying for you!

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 26, 2014, at 9:11 PM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Well Blaine, even if it's not meaningful for Max, I know I hang on every word. Thanks for taking the time. Hang in there!!!

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 26, 2014, at 7:52 PM, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Max,

I don't have time to write an entire letter tonight about our week. There is not too much to say anyway. I worked a LOT—Monday through Saturday and still am going to bed with a pit in my stomach that it is not enough and that I am going to get in trouble tomorrow or sometime this week for not having everything done yet. I am still acclimating to the job obviously, but it sure is challenging! 

I guess the one fun thing this week was Gwen's tenth birthday. Kristi may write you about it, I"m not sure. We went to McDonald's and to a roller skating rink and she got to invite a friend. Yeah, not much of a party, but I had to work 11-12 hours first, so that's about all we could swing this year. I think she had a good day anyway. Crazy that we have a 10-year-old—I sure love that girl! :)

The real reason I wanted to write was just to respond to your nice letter to me. You never have to take the time to write individual letters and I know your time is really constrained and that it is always easier to read than to write. So I was really flattered and happy that you would take the time to write to just me. It meant so much to hear that my letters have been meaningful to you. Everything you said was just so encouraging to hear and gave me so much perspective and I totally need that right now. Work is taking everything out of me that it can. I hope that I am growing stronger and getting closer to who Heavenly Father needs me to be. I'm trying to go that direction and I do feel like I am moving that way. I definitely feel more dependent on Him than ever (besides maybe the mission), so that is good.  But it is also scary to feel so stressed such a large portion of the time. I worry whether Kristi and the kids are really getting the best parts of me when our paths cross for such a short time in the late evenings and on the weekends. I try to be loving and patient, but it is easy to lose my temper when the kids are bickering or being defiant and disobedient. Anyway, I try and luckily Kristi does so much to make up the difference. She is definitely growing too. The point is that your letter was just so encouraging and well timed and I have thought of it often this week and drawn strength from it. So thanks. 

Two other quick things. Today, thanks to BretFlix, we watched some home videos before church and I decided, kind of randomly, that I wanted to show the kids God's Army this evening. The home videos were fun and our favorite was seeing a little nakey 1-year-old Max rolling around in the tub. Everyone was watching and you were just giggling and loving the attention. Mom was saying "Oh, he's my little wet noodle!" and you were just rolling over and over in an empty, but still wet, bathtub. Super funny and cute!!

Then, watching God's Army of course made us think a lot of you. I always liked that movie but I don't know if I have watched it since I've been home from my mission. Anyway, it is really an inspiring show to me and just reiterated to me how real the gospel is that you're trying to share. The gospel is real. It touches and changes lives, even unexpected ones. Miracles are real. Satan is real too. All of these things come together nicely in the movie I think and, though I know you can't watch it now, I hope you are feeling that spirit out there everyday that I felt and was reminded of as we watched today. Two parts in particular jumped out at me as great thoughts for missionaries. The first is the speech that the super-companion gives to the greenie when he first gets to the field. He says that they will not convert anyone in their whole mission. The spirit does that. They are just like workers for the telephone company. They help set up the line, but the conversation has to be between the people and God or it will never work. That is probably obvious to you, but I liked the analogy and I hope it is something that you keep in mind as you seek for these big goals. You can't force 88 people to listen to you but you can follow the spirit to find people who are ready to take the call and you can set them up with a good line with all the skills (Spanish, charity, scripture knowledge, discussions, etc.) that you have worked your entire mission to develop. 

The second thought from the movie that really touched me is the speech the mission president gives at the end when the super companion dies from cancer. He gives a beautiful speech about how amazing this elder was and then says that all of you other missionaries may not give your lives in such a dramatic fashion as he did, but you are giving your lives nonetheless. I don't remember feeling that so much as a missionary. It had always been part of my plan to go on a mission and, while it was very difficult for me, it never seemed like a sacrifice per se, just part of the plan. But as I have been home for over 12 years now this week, I can say that there are things that were sacrificed during those two years. Perhaps the hardest thing for me right now is that most people that are just starting out at the firm are unmarried without kids and at least 8 years younger than me. By the time they are my age they will be making partner and will be able to go further with their careers just because they will have more time to do so. In the meantime, they are learning faster because they can put in more hours at the stage of life they are in than I am willing to in my stage of life. Now, I'm not looking for pity or anything here. I have the greatest life and I wouldn't change a thing about the big life decisions I've made, but I realize now that taking two years for a mission, getting married young, having four kids, these things do come at a cost to your career and other worldly pursuits. They are "sacrifices" in the true sense of the word—they are things that cost something good but you give that up because they are even better. I hope that you are making the most of everyday on your mission. That was another cool thing in the movie was how much this elder's mission meant to him. He had been diagnosed with cancer so he knew that he didn't have long to live—his mission was the last big thing he could do in the world and he did it awesomely. 

Well, I guess I ended up writing a lot anyway like I always do, but I'm happy to do so if any of it is meaningful to you. We love you so much and love reading your letters. Good luck on your goals this week and with all the great people you are working with.  

Love

Blaine

From: Max Bassett <max.bassett@myldsmail.net>
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014 5:12 AM
To: Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Letter from Blaine, October 19, 2014

Blaine!!

First off, thank you for your letters. They have changed me out here. And I am serious when I say that. Your letter have changed the view that I have on the work, the missionaries, and even my own testimony. You have a certain way of writing that can influence ANYONE! I dont care if your the newest guy in your firm....to me, you´re the best there is over there. And know that you havent only affected me, but also many others here in Spain. Though there are some weeks that I am not able to read all of the letter, due to time (they are now VERY strict on the 1,30 time limit and I hope it doesnt get taken down to 1 hour!) but I do read the specific parts written to me very closely. Today I wasnt able to read everything that was written to the bark, though I wish I could have. But I closely and carefully read those words written to me. And let me say, they were EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. The way your described how you were with others, wanting to leave them with a "smart" phrase that would leave them thinking is how I think lots of times. I know that its not me that leaves them thinking, but the spirit. But my dream is to just "hit them hard" with the spirit. It has happened a couple times, but most times it doesnt work like that. The spirit wont hit a hard heart. 

I will set goals to better my studies of the gospel this week because I know that this time is so limited. I am so sad to think of the day when I wont have that sort of time! 

I just wanted to use an example though of another instance where your letter just changed me. You might not even remember but a long time ago you wrote about when you taught Gwen to mow the lawn. You invested lots into her so that she could learn. You couldve done it much better and faster, but yet you WANTED her to learn and knew that it was what she needed. 

You gave lots of other analogies that just really "hit me." That little analogy has been used in companionship studies and lessons. Missionaries have written me thanking me for that analogy and how it has helped them (And I always quote you so you get the credit. ;) ) 

That is one, of many, examples of a letter you have written that has helped me so much. 

I sure love you bro and though I might not be able to reply every week...know that you are helping me a ton out here. You are one of the biggest examples I have in my life. Please know that.

Have the best week ever! Work hard and I will be sure to too!

Carry on! A vencer!

Sure love you!

Love, Elder Bassett

On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 5:00 AM, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Max,

This week I am specifically writing to you and to the Bark because I wanted to respond to the nice letter Curt wrote about the time we got to spend together this week. Curt was so nice to think of us when he knew he was coming into town. He contacted us a week ahead of time to see if we could get together on Friday night. Though it didn't work out for Kristi and the kids to come, I was able to pick up Curt right after work (we were both downtown). He was staying in the same La Quinta that I had stayed at for a week when I was here in July to take the bar exam and search for houses, so I knew the location well. He was right ready to go when I picked him up and he let me chose the place that we would eat dinner. I was glad he did because I had really been craving to go to Terry Black's BBQ (my favorite BBQ in the city) and he was totally game for it. It turned out to be perfect. It was right across the street from the Long Center, which Curt had helped raise money for and wanted to see, and we both agreed that the brisket there is about as good as it gets. We had a great conversation and covered a wide range of topics. I thought the funniest thing as I was reflecting on our conversation later is how little we talked about the most obvious things that most people would talk about. Curt never really asked about how my job was going. I never really asked about his, or what he was doing in Austin. Those things came up tangentially and we covered them a bit, but they did not drive the conversation. Rather we just skipped straight to all kinds of topics—deep and shallow, funny and serious, spiritual and superficial. Anyway, the conversation was really satisfying and enjoyable, and the food was to die for. In fact, after sharing this place with Curt and seeing how much he liked it, I felt bad that I still hadn't really shared it with my own family (so far I had only gone there with work colleagues). So the very next night I was back at Black's eating more brisket—this time with Kristi and the kids! (And it was just as good! I don't think I'll ever get tired of that place! :) Anyway, so thanks again for taking the time, Curt. What a fun Friday night. 

Now as Jann and others have encouraged, I thought I better send this letter with an update on my week to the whole Bark, rather than just to Max. 

Work is busier and more challenging than ever. It's not really my favorite topic to talk about right now and I'm sure it's not fun to hear me complain, so I'll just leave it at that: it is the most difficult thing I have done mentally and intellectually, and it is also really challenging psychologically to stay motivated and keep getting up for long day after long day. But I am grateful for my job. I think it will get better. It is just really taxing right now and hard to be starting something new I guess. 

As usual though, everything else seems to be going pretty well in comparison. The kids are still loving school and Kristi is like super-mom taking care of them and keeping their lives full and enriched. I try to get home in time to see them for an hour or two before bed. I rarely get outside or get much exercise during the week, so when I get home, I love to go on a walk with the family around the neighborhood. This week we had a funny experience. At least I hope that I can laugh about it and that no harm was done—though it still makes me nervous. We were just about to start our walk and suddenly a lawyer that is the in-house counsel for one of our biggest clients was out walking with his wife. I had met him once and we had figured out that we lived near each other and both enjoyed walking around the neighborhood, so I wasn't really surprised to see him, but I was a little nervous. Client relations are obviously very important in a service industry like this and so you want to make your best impression. In fact, just that week, I had spent about eight hours doing research for some partners just to help them be up to date on current law so they could "look good" at a conference that they were going to see this same client at. Eight hours! So, yeah, it's pretty important to look good in front of the client. Anyway, this guy was really nice and we started walking with them. Kristi and the kids talked to his wife (apparently she is an engineer at Apple, so I'm sure their conversation was fun) and he and I were a few steps ahead visiting together about more legal things. Before you know it, we are much closer to his house than ours and Ivy is complaining that she has to "go pee pee" and asking if she can use their bathroom. They are gracious enough to say yes and not make it seem weird—it will give us a chance to see the new Halloween decorations they just put up!—but of course the whole thing just freaks me out. So Ivy and Kristi and Ben went in the house while Gwen and Tess and I stayed out. I just prayed that Ivy only needed to go number one and that she would flush, but neither of those is a given with Ivy. Oh, also, there was some awkwardness because right at the beginning of the walk, Ivy had noticed a big spider in Tess's stroller, so we were carrying Tess while trying to figure out where the dang thing had gone. It was a beefy red spider that I didn't recognize and I knew it was still in there but I couldn't get it out, so that was another distraction. Then Nick called right in the middle of all this and for some reason I actually picked up so sorry again Nick for the weirdness of that conversation! :) Anyway, the whole thing was kind of funny I guess. Luckily, the client and his wife are super nice people and are pregnant with their first so they at least acted like they thought our kids were funny and cute and not annoying. And yes it was not ideal to have to use their bathroom, but I will be waking up tomorrow (and everyday this week) to go spend at least 12 hours a day doing work for (mostly) this client instead of spending time with my kids, so I guess it is what it is. :) Anyway, I had to record the story.

Kristi wrote a little about the fun time we had yesterday at McKinney State Park. I don't have too much more to add, but it was a great time. We went with Brian and Ralphie's family and it just makes me happy every time we're with them that we are still such good friends (for Barkers who don't know, these are some of our best friends who we knew when we lived here before. They still live up in Round Rock, so we aren't close enough to see them every day, but we have been hanging out with them at least a couple times a month since we moved back). The kids all get along so well, and this time in particular, we were just in a really fun place to play and hang out. Like Kristi said, this "swimming hole" was almost magical. It kind of reminded me of the place where they are swimming and swinging on vines in that old movie "Swiss Family Robinson." There are no vines here, but there is a waterfall and cool rock formations and you just think—this is way too perfect to be natural, this has to be fake. But it's not, so it's cool! :) 

So it's been a good week for us and I better sign off soon, but I did want to say a few words specifically about your last letter, Max. I'm so sorry about the hateful things people have said to you. Just reading the words brought back memories from my mission and the wounds that I felt in similar experiences—experiences that are now dusty and faded and far behind me--suddenly felt fresh and real. I could totally empathize with what you were going through and I even remembered specific experiences—specific things that people said—that I remember shaking me up. I remember where I was standing, and what they said, and how I felt, and how frustrating it was that I didn't have the words to bear testimony that would just shut them up like how Joseph Smith did with the guards. Even if I couldn't shut them up, I wanted to say something smart, to make an impression that would not be easy for them to brush off and forget. But, instead, I usually just felt like I perpetuated the stereotypes their hateful opinions were based on. They made fun of my Spanish or my naiveté about something and my response only proved them right—that my Spanish did leave something to be desired and I did not know a lot about whatever topic they accused me of being naïve about. Those times were hard and, in many ways, have been the inspiration for me to keep learning and growing since then. I feel like experiences like those—and how bad I hated those feelings—have given me an unquenchable desire to learn and be able to talk about anything without being the clueless one who doesn't know what they're talking about. As a result, I have worked hard and learned and grown a lot. As with my job right now, sometimes the learning and growing is hard and painful as well. But I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to go to school, to study the scriptures, to discuss things with interesting and brilliant people and to do all the other things that have helped me learn. I pray for you, Max, as you get humbled and have to deal with people like Elena, that you will let the humility sink in and give you that same desire to be more prepared to counter her misconceptions next time, to better stand up for the faith that you represent, to better articulate the testimony that is inside you and that is so real. Perhaps you will never get another chance with Elena, but there will be plenty of other people in life that you will have a chance to influence if you are prepared to do so—to put your best foot forward. Let your experience with Elena and her ilk motivate you to prepare for these future experiences and the Lord will be able to use you for lots of good and important things. 

Anyway, we also pray for Antonio and hope to hear good news next week that he is baptized. What an amazing experience it must be to open a new area. Sure hope that you are hanging in there and keeping that faithful good attitude. I'm sure that you are. Thanks for being such a good example of that to me. 

Love you Max (and anyone else who actually made it to the end of this long letter!)

Blaine

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Elder Max - Happy Halloween

Week 84 - Max - Happy Halloween

Monday, October 27, 2014

7:51 AM

 

Hola familia! I hope all is going great! HAPPY HALLOWEEN this friday! Honestly, I have completely forgotten because it is not very big over here in Spain. Ive heard though that every year they "steal" more and more of the halloween traditions. They say that this year there will probably be a couple trick or treaters. But I dont know how because its basically just trying to trick or treat in downtown salt lake....just big apartment complexes everywhere...oh well...well see how it goes!

 

Other than that, the Halloween high isnt very big. You occassionally see a "Hapy Halowen" (spelled like that) sign on someones door made by one of the kids in school. But no haunted houses or spook alleys....Youd probably be okay with that mom. ;)

 

As I dont have much time to write today, Ill be brief. This week has been a week of miracles. Its been amazing to see the Lord touch the lives of so many people. Its been a special week.

I mentioned last week that we had a big goal this week. 888 new investigators!! 9 per companionship. Well I wanted to write about that.

 

Monday...we contacted a lot in the streets. Contacted some antiguos. We searched and searched....nothing.

 

Tuesday. Not a very good planned day, but we still went and searched. We passed by a reference, Gilbert. HE WAS THERE! We knocked his door (he had no idea we were coming) and we gladly let us in to listen. He has very interesting ideas about God, but he was super kind and is willing to listen! We set a return cita for Thursday.

 

1 NEW!

 

Wednesday. Planned and planned. Searched and searched. Called and called. Talked and talked. Walked and walked.....nothing.

Buuuut...we got some good citas planned for the next day. Thursday.

 

STILL 1 NEW!

 

Thursday. MIRACLE DAY! Prayed extra hard for the help of the Lord. We knew we were gonna need it for today. The morning came. Started the day by passing by Paqui (who NEVER answers.) She answered!!!! She gladly listened to us and told us that she was the mother of one of the members and had always loved when the missionaries could come, but never felt the need to be baptized. But she is now curious to know more. Miracle 1. Later that day, pass by a street contact, Jose (who we had set up a cita with) He and his wife, Cece, were there ready to listen. We explained the importance of Christ and he told us he really wants to help his family know God. He wants to know the truth. Miracle 2. Now were up to 3 news in the day. Head over to Gilbert again. Quick cita, but good. His wife was there that time and is willing to listen. 4 news. Later we head over to Vanessa, menos activo, whose kids arent members, David and Alex (15 and 12) They are great! 2 more news!

 

Ended the day with a menos activos, Adolfo, and his wife and daughter, Vivian and Natalie (who arent members) The biggest success was seeing him share his testimony of Joseph Smith to his family that later said they didnt know how important it was to him. His testimony was strengthened a ton and they are much more interested in listening. (I wish I had more time to explain that story, because it was amazing and was a huge highlight of my mission. The spirit was so strong in their house.)

 

7 NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! 2 More to go to hit the goal.

 

Friday. Searched and searched. Had a golden cita set with a golden future....failed......but didnt give up. Headed over to a street contacts house, Mariloli. She invited us in, with no cita or anything, and was very curious to know what we believed. She and her boyfriend are very interesting people andhave many interesting ideas. But she wants to know the truth! We set up a return cita with her and plan to go back next week!

 

8 NEWS! 1 moooooore.....

 

Saturday. Headed over to a set cita in Villena (another pueblo thats part of Elda) and had a pretty good cita with Luis, a testigo de Jehovah. It was great though and I really believe he felt the spirit. He didnt want to argue, but he did have lots of crazy questions. I think he had looked on an anti mormon web page, because when we got there, he just had a list of Book of Mormon scriptures and how they supposedly contradict the Bible. We lovingly explained that the Book of Mormon only supports the Bible. There is much evidence that it is true, but the best way is by asking directly to God. That blew his mind. To them, God doesnt really speak to His children. He stopped performing miracles after the death of Christ. It was sad to listen to him say that and know just how much Heavenly Father has done for him!!!

Anyways, I was filled with a strong love for this gospel. I know that God lives and He does talk to His children. He has talked to me through the Holy Ghost! I know it! I love it! :)

 

9 NEWS!!!!!!!

 

It was a true miracle week! And not just here, but in the mission! 897 news in total for the whole mission! :) What a wonderful week to see the Lord performing His miracles.

 

I know this is His work and I love it!

 

I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and support!

 Carry on! A vencer!

 

Love, Elder Bassett

 

Re: Love from Mom

Did this work?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 26, 2014, at 11:52 PM, Wendy Bassett <wendy.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dearest Max,
>
> First and most important - what is your current address? I have a hard copy letter I want to send and we never got your address.
>
> Happy Halloween! Do they celebrate Halloween in Spain? I am really happy Halloween falls on a Friday this year as that means I don't go to work, which means I don't have to dress up. As you know, I am not much for costumes. Last year I was a BYU football player. I think I would be ridiculed in that costume this year since they are doing so poorly!
>
> Speaking of Halloween, we did a fun thing last Friday. Dad's Riverton office had a trick or treat party where employees decorated their cubicles and kids of employees got to dress up and come. I picked up Bret, Clay and Ned and they were all dressed so cute (a leopard, a tiger and an elephant) and we went to the party. Dad had taken the old stand up figures and fixed up his area. Then he walked with us to all three floors of the building to trick or treat. Some offices had gone all out. Like I am guessing no work was done for a few days on the north side of the 4th floor where Hogwarts was located. They had used black plastic and cardboard and made a train (the "windows" were computer screens cut out of the plastic showing the scenery going by) and there was a dining hall and then a crazy maze. Honestly they went all out!!! Another area had done kind of a spook alley. Bret informed me that he gets scared very easily and that Clay and Ned are much braver. But we all got brave and went in! It was all fun but the best part being with those cute kiddos. And the good thing is that their dad has taught them all about "taxes" so they were willing to share the loot. It was a fun time.
>
> Today was a full Sabbath. At 9 am I went to hear Jakobe Swenson report his mission. Wow has he grown up! He gave a wonderful report. Then at 11 I went to Janey and Warner's ward where the children did the sacrament meeting program and Janey spoke as primary president. It was so organized and full of the spirit. Janey's message was perfect and the kids sang out so well. Frankly, it doesn't seems that long ago that Janey was up giving her part as a primary girl. It was a payday for a mom! Honestly, to quote 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." I am so blessed.
>
> From there I went to our YSA stake offices and had my monthly meeting with the Stake President. Those meetings used to make me so nervous I could hardly stand it. But I feel more comfortable each time. I was prepared with things to discuss and then he said such kind things about our presidency that I felt really good. Then I attended a YSA Relief Society where I shared a message and enjoyed their lesson. Then tonight I got some visiting teaching done (in the home ward with Judy and Marianne Brown). So it's been a full and happy day. I really love my Sabbaths. They are rarely ever "restful" but they are so different from the rest of the week that they are refreshing and uplifting in so many ways.
>
> I talked to Chris Shaw today. He is at that age where his voice is getting deeper and his skin is not so clear, and I loved it. And he still gives me hugs! He has about 11 merit badges in the works and he told me he has it planned to get his Eagle award around the time you come home.
>
> Yesterday was the baby shower open house for Shaylee (Jeff's fiancé) and Kami and Angie. I was so afraid it was going to be awkward and uncomfortable but it turned out very nice. There was lots of love and I think that those girls felt it. I felt like we were doing what the Savior would have us do. That maybe sounds silly but I had stressed and prayed over this and I felt blessed.
>
> Well I know your time is limited so I must close. I sure love and miss you. I am reading in the middle of Alma in the Book of Mormon about all the good missionary stories and I think of you. The gospel is true!
>
> Love,
> Mom
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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Morning Letter

Hey Max!

Just a quick early morning letter for you! I want to thank you for writing to Blaine, it really was the highlight of his week. I think he pulled it out on several different days for a much needed boost. That guy works harder than anyone I know. It's painful to watch him struggle so hard, and for the first time I am glad it was he who got such a strong confirmation that we need to be here and not me. I'm really lucky to be married to such a hard worker.

All during law school I would say that it was the happiest we've ever been in our whole marriage, and it really was. Starting right about the day after he graduated though we launched in to the most stressful time of our marriage. But it has its benefits too. We have had to just cling to each other to get through these last several months. I couldn't make it through without him and he wouldn't be able to without me. So while it's maybe not the most joyous time, we've never been closer!

My newest stress is that our next door neighbor found a rattlesnake in their yard. That's just too close for comfort. So I will be carrying a shovel with me wherever I go from now on. It's like the ultimate irony that Texas is so gorgeous and yet so full of things that want to kill you. Snakes, scorpions, tornados, heart disease (from all the amazing restaurants! Haha). Now everytime I go outside I'll probably walk around looking like the girlfriend on parent trap who bangs two sticks together to get rid of mountain lions ;)

The kids are doing great (aside from their near constant fighting)! They all got their report cards and did really well!! I was so proud of all of them!

Gwen had a great birthday! Lucky Charms for breakfast, I took her a subway sandwich for lunch and ate with her at the cafeteria, then mcdonalds and the roller rink in the evening. I'm horrible at planning birthday parties but these last minute hob knobbed parties are my specialty. They work out great and I don't have to stress about them.

Watching Ivy rollerskate was maybe the highlight of my life so far. In fact she skipped the skating and went straight to roller dancing! She was hilarious, I have a little video clip on Instagram for anyone who wants to see. She's dance, fall, frown and then start dancing again. Ben was quite the opposite. He was so scared! He kind of hated it. After about ten minutes we finally let him take his skates off and then he had a blast running around in shoes :)

Blaine worked on Saturday and we got to go down and see his office (amazing view of downtown Austin). Then we stopped at the botanical gardens (mom , you've been there too- with the butterfly chairs?), and a sno one at sno-beach. I got ice cream and coconut flavored. It was the best thing I've ever eaten :).

Tess is growing fast. I'm really worried about her poor eyes. I love her so much and the thought of her not being able to see well or suffering socially if we can't align her eyes just keeps me up at night.

She laughs a lot more now and just has the most contagious belly laugh. I love it.

Love you too Max! Keep up the good work!!

Love,

Kris

Congrats Jane! Primary programs are my favorite! I was so mad this year that Tess was crying so much that I missed the entire program and spent it in the nursing room with her, bummer! The only programs my kids have been in have been with about 350 other kids, I bet it's a totally different experience with a smaller primary!

I think you need to include a belly shot for Max to see! I'm so excited for you guys and your baby. Babies, first ones in particular, are the best :) in just a few days you'll be able to say, "I'm having a baby next month!" That's pretty awesome! 

I found a job for Warner! I went to the hot new Italian restaurant by us and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head when is saw their sign that they were hiring cashiers and paying $20 an hour. I admit that it's been a long time since I was in the workforce, but even with my bachelors degree the most I ever made was $9.50. Maybe $20 an hour isn't a lot, but I thought about applying right then and there haha. 

Glad you guys are doing well! Are you going to be working up until you have the baby? Can't wait to see him!! Tess is already huge, they grow so fast!

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 26, 2014, at 10:27 PM, Janey Nielsen <janeybassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Max-I may have sent this to you twice.....I realized I forgot to put all the email address on the list and I couldn't remember if I sent it to you.

Hey Max-

We did it! It's over! I never knew how much work/stress went into the Primary program, but I'm grateful for the things I learned and for the blessing that everything went well. I had tears in my eyes as I stood with the kids (yes, in our ward the leaders stand with the kids) to sing the songs. They are so sweet and I felt so much love for each of these kids in primary. We were even able to get a few kids who don't come very often (like this was the first time I have seen them in primary since I have been called) to come and actually participate. I was thrilled and so grateful Heavenly Father would bless us! Mom and Rosey were nice to come and watch the program!

Other than that, life moves along.....and my stomach gets bigger. :) I know I say that every week, but there are some weeks where it seems like I can see that the baby has grown by the end of the day. Today he kicked so hard I'm surprised I didn't see his foot pop out. We are getting exciting and slowly preparing for the big day. We continue to pray and work on Warner getting a better paying job so that he will be able to provide for our family! We would appreciate any prayers in his behalf.

 I appreciated your response to my letter last week. I thought it was so sweet that you wish you could do more to help me in my pregnancy, but just as you said, serving the Lord with all your heart is the VERY best thing you could be doing. I know that Heavenly Father is blessing us because of your service. Thank you! :)

Sure love ya Max. I hope your mission goal of finding 888 people is coming along. Sorry to hear you had some hard goodbye's, but that is where we trust that someday their heart will be softened and they will have a desire to learn about the gospel.

Love ya.

Jane

Re: Bretflix, Denver, and Bear Lake

What a fun weekend Nick! I saw that Instagram pic of you at the stadium but for some reason assumed you were on a work trip! I love road trips (without kids :) ). And how fun to go to bear lake , I've still never been there, but hear it is so beautiful!



Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 26, 2014, at 10:36 PM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hey Max, thanks for the nice letter last week! It really was fun getting something personal. And while I know your time is severely limited, I hope if nothing else you know how much we appreciate it.
>
> In the background I have Bretflix up and playing. What a priceless gift it is for us all to not only have, but to be able to easily access snippets from our childhood. It's Easter 1989 and Janey is running around and keeps saying "bunny!?" with a very confused look on her face. I think she thinks she's looking for the Easter bunny and not her basket. Dad keeps explaining the bunny is gone and that she's only looking for a basket but I don't think she gets it. Lol. Next up has been my 5th birthday. Amid a number of fun cute little pieces is the fact that mom has called me Nicholas (opposed to nick) almost every time she's talked to me. Kinda fun :). Anyway, you definitely have all of these fun memories to look forward to enjoying! Thanks again Dad!!
>
> I took off Thursday and Friday this week from work and between Thursday morning and Sunday evening I was in the car almost 22 hours. I left on Thursday morning with Stefs dad and Craig and Brad and went out to visit Stefs grandma and some relatives in Denver. It helped that there was a Denver Broncos game for us to see while we were there, (that was actually the main thing that got us out there) but we had a great time. We literally drove out, watched the game that night and came back the next morning. While it was lots of driving, it was really fun visiting in the car, and spending time with my in-laws. I feel grateful to have married into such a wonderful family!!
>
> Saturday morning we got up and got packed up and cleaned the house for a little bit, and then went up to bear lake around 12:00. We got up and played at Stefs aunt and uncles house which was very fun. The highlight was the two trampolines in the backyard. We stayed at a nice condo for free that night (thanks to Stefs aunt and uncle) and had a good time walking along the beach, sitting in the hot tub, and eating a yummy pizza dinner. Today we attended their church as one of her cousins is leaving on his mission this week.
>
> Quick update on Bretflix, the entire time I have been writing this I have been opening presents for my birthday. Complete with lots of Bernstein bears books, money, kites, and a ghost busters proton pack. I can't believe how many gifts I had to open, and how quickly mom and dad let me just rip into them. Seriously just loving watching this.
>
> Anyway, we sure love ya. Keep up the great work!
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> --
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> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bwbassetts+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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Re: Bretflix, Denver, and Bear Lake

Fun letter nick.  I do love hearing that you all are using the homevideos portion of bretflix.  

So how's dave feel about not being bishop any longer.  He did such a great job for so long.  

Party on.

On Sun, Oct 26, 2014 at 9:36 PM, Nick Bassett <nick.w.bassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Max, thanks for the nice letter last week! It really was fun getting something personal. And while I know your time is severely limited, I hope if nothing else you know how much we appreciate it.

In the background I have Bretflix up and playing. What a priceless gift it is for us all to not only have, but to be able to easily access snippets from our childhood.  It's Easter 1989 and Janey is running around and keeps saying "bunny!?" with a very confused look on her face.  I think she thinks she's looking for the Easter bunny and not her basket. Dad keeps explaining the bunny is gone and that she's only looking for a basket but I don't think she gets it. Lol. Next up has been my 5th birthday. Amid a number of fun cute little pieces is the fact that mom has called me Nicholas (opposed to nick) almost every time she's talked to me. Kinda fun :). Anyway, you definitely have all of these fun memories to look forward to enjoying! Thanks again Dad!!

I took off Thursday and Friday this week from work and between Thursday morning and Sunday evening I was in the car almost 22 hours. I left on Thursday morning with Stefs dad and Craig and Brad and went out to visit Stefs grandma and some relatives in Denver. It helped that there was a Denver Broncos game for us to see while we were there, (that was actually the main thing that got us out there) but we had a great time.  We literally drove out, watched the game that night and came back the next morning.  While it was lots of driving, it was really fun visiting in the car, and spending time with my in-laws.  I feel grateful to have married into such a wonderful family!!

Saturday morning we got up and got packed up and cleaned the house for a little bit, and then went up to bear lake around 12:00. We got up and played at Stefs aunt and uncles house which was very fun. The highlight was the two trampolines in the backyard. We stayed at a nice condo for free that night (thanks to Stefs aunt and uncle) and had a good time walking along the beach, sitting in the hot tub, and eating a yummy pizza dinner. Today we attended their church as one of her cousins is leaving on his mission this week.

Quick update on Bretflix, the entire time I have been writing this I have been opening presents for my birthday. Complete with lots of Bernstein bears books, money, kites, and a ghost busters proton pack. I can't believe how many gifts I had to open, and how quickly mom and dad let me just rip into them. Seriously just loving watching this.

Anyway, we sure love ya. Keep up the great work!



Sent from my iPad

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Bret Bassett 

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

 

Love from Mom

Dearest Max,

First and most important - what is your current address? I have a hard copy letter I want to send and we never got your address.

Happy Halloween! Do they celebrate Halloween in Spain? I am really happy Halloween falls on a Friday this year as that means I don't go to work, which means I don't have to dress up. As you know, I am not much for costumes. Last year I was a BYU football player. I think I would be ridiculed in that costume this year since they are doing so poorly!

Speaking of Halloween, we did a fun thing last Friday. Dad's Riverton office had a trick or treat party where employees decorated their cubicles and kids of employees got to dress up and come. I picked up Bret, Clay and Ned and they were all dressed so cute (a leopard, a tiger and an elephant) and we went to the party. Dad had taken the old stand up figures and fixed up his area. Then he walked with us to all three floors of the building to trick or treat. Some offices had gone all out. Like I am guessing no work was done for a few days on the north side of the 4th floor where Hogwarts was located. They had used black plastic and cardboard and made a train (the "windows" were computer screens cut out of the plastic showing the scenery going by) and there was a dining hall and then a crazy maze. Honestly they went all out!!! Another area had done kind of a spook alley. Bret informed me that he gets scared very easily and that Clay and Ned are much braver. But we all got brave and went in! It was all fun but the best part being with those cute kiddos. And the good thing is that their dad has taught them all about "taxes" so they were willing to share the loot. It was a fun time.

Today was a full Sabbath. At 9 am I went to hear Jakobe Swenson report his mission. Wow has he grown up! He gave a wonderful report. Then at 11 I went to Janey and Warner's ward where the children did the sacrament meeting program and Janey spoke as primary president. It was so organized and full of the spirit. Janey's message was perfect and the kids sang out so well. Frankly, it doesn't seems that long ago that Janey was up giving her part as a primary girl. It was a payday for a mom! Honestly, to quote 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." I am so blessed.

From there I went to our YSA stake offices and had my monthly meeting with the Stake President. Those meetings used to make me so nervous I could hardly stand it. But I feel more comfortable each time. I was prepared with things to discuss and then he said such kind things about our presidency that I felt really good. Then I attended a YSA Relief Society where I shared a message and enjoyed their lesson. Then tonight I got some visiting teaching done (in the home ward with Judy and Marianne Brown). So it's been a full and happy day. I really love my Sabbaths. They are rarely ever "restful" but they are so different from the rest of the week that they are refreshing and uplifting in so many ways.

I talked to Chris Shaw today. He is at that age where his voice is getting deeper and his skin is not so clear, and I loved it. And he still gives me hugs! He has about 11 merit badges in the works and he told me he has it planned to get his Eagle award around the time you come home.

Yesterday was the baby shower open house for Shaylee (Jeff's fiancé) and Kami and Angie. I was so afraid it was going to be awkward and uncomfortable but it turned out very nice. There was lots of love and I think that those girls felt it. I felt like we were doing what the Savior would have us do. That maybe sounds silly but I had stressed and prayed over this and I felt blessed.

Well I know your time is limited so I must close. I sure love and miss you. I am reading in the middle of Alma in the Book of Mormon about all the good missionary stories and I think of you. The gospel is true!

Love,
Mom

Sent from my iPad

Week 84 - Dad - Lost but then found

Week 84 - Dad (t-18) - Lost but then found

Sunday, October 26, 2014

10:14 PM

 

So it is now 10:15, and I just sent a long email to our YSA bishop who has been out of town giving him the lowdown on everything that happened today.  Whew!  We pack a lot in a day.  And you just can't get it all done.

 

But so now that that is done, I can turn to you and express some thoughts that I hope will be helpful.

 

1. The gospel is true.  Saving souls is critical to them, and to us.  Stay true.
2. YSA wards are filled with some unique souls with unique issues.  And it is filled with the most amazingly spiritual, committed and faithful people I know.  It is both a challenge and a blessing to serve.  Today, I feel more of the challenge side of things. 
3. Callings are for our benefit as well as for those we serve.  Whether you're a Bishop, a missionary, a member of a YSA bishopric, of stake ysa RS pres… all are blessed.  So I hope you'll always seek to be of service somewhere.  Sometimes to get a calling, you have to get a chance to meet with the Bishopric and let them know you would like to serve.  What a blessing to have people like that.

 

I am interviewing at the church for a regular job.  I hate to say anything about it, in case they find another candidate they like better, but I am hopeful.  It has also got me thinking about your request to check into internships for this summer.  I've been checking around, but haven't heard anything solid yet.  I'll keep things moving and get back to your soon.

 

Okay since it's late, and since I'm tired, I'm going to wrap it up with a funny story.  There has got to be a gospel principle in the story, but I haven't figured out what it is…yet.

 

So 2 weeks ago, for my birthday Mom got me a fit bit.  I then traded in the wrist variety for a pocket version which took another week to get here.   Then mom went on her magical trip to the grand canyon.  The day after she left, I lost the fitbit.  When she came home and heard that I had lost it, she was a little skeptical…that perhaps I had lost it intentionally… she never said the words, but I could feel it. (grin).  Anyway, I had turned the house, my car, my office, my downstairs office upside down.  And nothing.  And for 2 weeks, I kind of had this sense that it could still be around somewhere.  But I eventually gave up.  Then last night, as I tried to explain to mom (once again) where I had looked.  Then I pulled out my iphone which had a fitbit app.  And I noticed that it was trying to constantly synch with my fit bit and I looked at the last 2 weeks of history.  And found that each day it had between 0-250 steps on it.  That was kind of weird because the fit bit had to still be close by if it was going to synch.  But it wasn't in any clothes because then there would have been 1,000's of steps.  Anyway, then I walked through the house checking the synch status.  And if it was in range it would synch.  If it was out of range it wouldn't synch but would 'look' for the fitbit.  So I wandered through the house playing this electronic game of "Boola, Boola".    And I found that the fit bit was absolutely positively in the house somewhere - in the kitchen.  It wasn't in my back bedroom, not in the basement, not in my office, not I the bathrooms.  It seemed like it was in the kitchen.  So we cleaned out drawer after drawer.  But it was no where to be found.  It was sooooo weird.  I knew it was here, but couldn't find it.  Finally, I went outside and sat in the car and checked the synch status out there.  It was there as well.  So it had to be either in the kitchen o rin the car.  It was pitch black and I thought that I'd check it in the daylight.  But Rosey who had helped mom and I tear apart everything in the kitchen and tv room, was motivated.  So she grabbed a flashlight and headed out to the car.  With just that little bit of encouragement knowing it was either in the kitchen or in the car she went on the hunt with a flashlight.  Within a few minutes she announced she had found it.

 

It may be one of those things where you had to be there…but it was amazing, and weird at the same time.

 

Thanks again Rosey.

 

So there you have it.  Have a great week my missionary son.

 

Love,

 

Dad

--

 

Bret Bassett 

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

 

Bretflix, Denver, and Bear Lake

Hey Max, thanks for the nice letter last week! It really was fun getting something personal. And while I know your time is severely limited, I hope if nothing else you know how much we appreciate it.

In the background I have Bretflix up and playing. What a priceless gift it is for us all to not only have, but to be able to easily access snippets from our childhood. It's Easter 1989 and Janey is running around and keeps saying "bunny!?" with a very confused look on her face. I think she thinks she's looking for the Easter bunny and not her basket. Dad keeps explaining the bunny is gone and that she's only looking for a basket but I don't think she gets it. Lol. Next up has been my 5th birthday. Amid a number of fun cute little pieces is the fact that mom has called me Nicholas (opposed to nick) almost every time she's talked to me. Kinda fun :). Anyway, you definitely have all of these fun memories to look forward to enjoying! Thanks again Dad!!

I took off Thursday and Friday this week from work and between Thursday morning and Sunday evening I was in the car almost 22 hours. I left on Thursday morning with Stefs dad and Craig and Brad and went out to visit Stefs grandma and some relatives in Denver. It helped that there was a Denver Broncos game for us to see while we were there, (that was actually the main thing that got us out there) but we had a great time. We literally drove out, watched the game that night and came back the next morning. While it was lots of driving, it was really fun visiting in the car, and spending time with my in-laws. I feel grateful to have married into such a wonderful family!!

Saturday morning we got up and got packed up and cleaned the house for a little bit, and then went up to bear lake around 12:00. We got up and played at Stefs aunt and uncles house which was very fun. The highlight was the two trampolines in the backyard. We stayed at a nice condo for free that night (thanks to Stefs aunt and uncle) and had a good time walking along the beach, sitting in the hot tub, and eating a yummy pizza dinner. Today we attended their church as one of her cousins is leaving on his mission this week.

Quick update on Bretflix, the entire time I have been writing this I have been opening presents for my birthday. Complete with lots of Bernstein bears books, money, kites, and a ghost busters proton pack. I can't believe how many gifts I had to open, and how quickly mom and dad let me just rip into them. Seriously just loving watching this.

Anyway, we sure love ya. Keep up the great work!



Sent from my iPad

Success

Max-I may have sent this to you twice.....I realized I forgot to put all the email address on the list and I couldn't remember if I sent it to you.

Hey Max-

We did it! It's over! I never knew how much work/stress went into the Primary program, but I'm grateful for the things I learned and for the blessing that everything went well. I had tears in my eyes as I stood with the kids (yes, in our ward the leaders stand with the kids) to sing the songs. They are so sweet and I felt so much love for each of these kids in primary. We were even able to get a few kids who don't come very often (like this was the first time I have seen them in primary since I have been called) to come and actually participate. I was thrilled and so grateful Heavenly Father would bless us! Mom and Rosey were nice to come and watch the program!

Other than that, life moves along.....and my stomach gets bigger. :) I know I say that every week, but there are some weeks where it seems like I can see that the baby has grown by the end of the day. Today he kicked so hard I'm surprised I didn't see his foot pop out. We are getting exciting and slowly preparing for the big day. We continue to pray and work on Warner getting a better paying job so that he will be able to provide for our family! We would appreciate any prayers in his behalf.

 I appreciated your response to my letter last week. I thought it was so sweet that you wish you could do more to help me in my pregnancy, but just as you said, serving the Lord with all your heart is the VERY best thing you could be doing. I know that Heavenly Father is blessing us because of your service. Thank you! :)

Sure love ya Max. I hope your mission goal of finding 888 people is coming along. Sorry to hear you had some hard goodbye's, but that is where we trust that someday their heart will be softened and they will have a desire to learn about the gospel.

Love ya.

Jane

Re: Letter from Blaine, October 26, 2014

Well Blaine, even if it's not meaningful for Max, I know I hang on every word. Thanks for taking the time. Hang in there!!!

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 26, 2014, at 7:52 PM, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Max,

I don't have time to write an entire letter tonight about our week. There is not too much to say anyway. I worked a LOT—Monday through Saturday and still am going to bed with a pit in my stomach that it is not enough and that I am going to get in trouble tomorrow or sometime this week for not having everything done yet. I am still acclimating to the job obviously, but it sure is challenging! 

I guess the one fun thing this week was Gwen's tenth birthday. Kristi may write you about it, I"m not sure. We went to McDonald's and to a roller skating rink and she got to invite a friend. Yeah, not much of a party, but I had to work 11-12 hours first, so that's about all we could swing this year. I think she had a good day anyway. Crazy that we have a 10-year-old—I sure love that girl! :)

The real reason I wanted to write was just to respond to your nice letter to me. You never have to take the time to write individual letters and I know your time is really constrained and that it is always easier to read than to write. So I was really flattered and happy that you would take the time to write to just me. It meant so much to hear that my letters have been meaningful to you. Everything you said was just so encouraging to hear and gave me so much perspective and I totally need that right now. Work is taking everything out of me that it can. I hope that I am growing stronger and getting closer to who Heavenly Father needs me to be. I'm trying to go that direction and I do feel like I am moving that way. I definitely feel more dependent on Him than ever (besides maybe the mission), so that is good.  But it is also scary to feel so stressed such a large portion of the time. I worry whether Kristi and the kids are really getting the best parts of me when our paths cross for such a short time in the late evenings and on the weekends. I try to be loving and patient, but it is easy to lose my temper when the kids are bickering or being defiant and disobedient. Anyway, I try and luckily Kristi does so much to make up the difference. She is definitely growing too. The point is that your letter was just so encouraging and well timed and I have thought of it often this week and drawn strength from it. So thanks. 

Two other quick things. Today, thanks to BretFlix, we watched some home videos before church and I decided, kind of randomly, that I wanted to show the kids God's Army this evening. The home videos were fun and our favorite was seeing a little nakey 1-year-old Max rolling around in the tub. Everyone was watching and you were just giggling and loving the attention. Mom was saying "Oh, he's my little wet noodle!" and you were just rolling over and over in an empty, but still wet, bathtub. Super funny and cute!!

Then, watching God's Army of course made us think a lot of you. I always liked that movie but I don't know if I have watched it since I've been home from my mission. Anyway, it is really an inspiring show to me and just reiterated to me how real the gospel is that you're trying to share. The gospel is real. It touches and changes lives, even unexpected ones. Miracles are real. Satan is real too. All of these things come together nicely in the movie I think and, though I know you can't watch it now, I hope you are feeling that spirit out there everyday that I felt and was reminded of as we watched today. Two parts in particular jumped out at me as great thoughts for missionaries. The first is the speech that the super-companion gives to the greenie when he first gets to the field. He says that they will not convert anyone in their whole mission. The spirit does that. They are just like workers for the telephone company. They help set up the line, but the conversation has to be between the people and God or it will never work. That is probably obvious to you, but I liked the analogy and I hope it is something that you keep in mind as you seek for these big goals. You can't force 88 people to listen to you but you can follow the spirit to find people who are ready to take the call and you can set them up with a good line with all the skills (Spanish, charity, scripture knowledge, discussions, etc.) that you have worked your entire mission to develop. 

The second thought from the movie that really touched me is the speech the mission president gives at the end when the super companion dies from cancer. He gives a beautiful speech about how amazing this elder was and then says that all of you other missionaries may not give your lives in such a dramatic fashion as he did, but you are giving your lives nonetheless. I don't remember feeling that so much as a missionary. It had always been part of my plan to go on a mission and, while it was very difficult for me, it never seemed like a sacrifice per se, just part of the plan. But as I have been home for over 12 years now this week, I can say that there are things that were sacrificed during those two years. Perhaps the hardest thing for me right now is that most people that are just starting out at the firm are unmarried without kids and at least 8 years younger than me. By the time they are my age they will be making partner and will be able to go further with their careers just because they will have more time to do so. In the meantime, they are learning faster because they can put in more hours at the stage of life they are in than I am willing to in my stage of life. Now, I'm not looking for pity or anything here. I have the greatest life and I wouldn't change a thing about the big life decisions I've made, but I realize now that taking two years for a mission, getting married young, having four kids, these things do come at a cost to your career and other worldly pursuits. They are "sacrifices" in the true sense of the word—they are things that cost something good but you give that up because they are even better. I hope that you are making the most of everyday on your mission. That was another cool thing in the movie was how much this elder's mission meant to him. He had been diagnosed with cancer so he knew that he didn't have long to live—his mission was the last big thing he could do in the world and he did it awesomely. 

Well, I guess I ended up writing a lot anyway like I always do, but I'm happy to do so if any of it is meaningful to you. We love you so much and love reading your letters. Good luck on your goals this week and with all the great people you are working with.  

Love

Blaine

From: Max Bassett <max.bassett@myldsmail.net>
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014 5:12 AM
To: Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Letter from Blaine, October 19, 2014

Blaine!!

First off, thank you for your letters. They have changed me out here. And I am serious when I say that. Your letter have changed the view that I have on the work, the missionaries, and even my own testimony. You have a certain way of writing that can influence ANYONE! I dont care if your the newest guy in your firm....to me, you´re the best there is over there. And know that you havent only affected me, but also many others here in Spain. Though there are some weeks that I am not able to read all of the letter, due to time (they are now VERY strict on the 1,30 time limit and I hope it doesnt get taken down to 1 hour!) but I do read the specific parts written to me very closely. Today I wasnt able to read everything that was written to the bark, though I wish I could have. But I closely and carefully read those words written to me. And let me say, they were EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. The way your described how you were with others, wanting to leave them with a "smart" phrase that would leave them thinking is how I think lots of times. I know that its not me that leaves them thinking, but the spirit. But my dream is to just "hit them hard" with the spirit. It has happened a couple times, but most times it doesnt work like that. The spirit wont hit a hard heart. 

I will set goals to better my studies of the gospel this week because I know that this time is so limited. I am so sad to think of the day when I wont have that sort of time! 

I just wanted to use an example though of another instance where your letter just changed me. You might not even remember but a long time ago you wrote about when you taught Gwen to mow the lawn. You invested lots into her so that she could learn. You couldve done it much better and faster, but yet you WANTED her to learn and knew that it was what she needed. 

You gave lots of other analogies that just really "hit me." That little analogy has been used in companionship studies and lessons. Missionaries have written me thanking me for that analogy and how it has helped them (And I always quote you so you get the credit. ;) ) 

That is one, of many, examples of a letter you have written that has helped me so much. 

I sure love you bro and though I might not be able to reply every week...know that you are helping me a ton out here. You are one of the biggest examples I have in my life. Please know that.

Have the best week ever! Work hard and I will be sure to too!

Carry on! A vencer!

Sure love you!

Love, Elder Bassett

On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 5:00 AM, Blaine Bassett <blainebbassett@gmail.com> wrote:

Max,

This week I am specifically writing to you and to the Bark because I wanted to respond to the nice letter Curt wrote about the time we got to spend together this week. Curt was so nice to think of us when he knew he was coming into town. He contacted us a week ahead of time to see if we could get together on Friday night. Though it didn't work out for Kristi and the kids to come, I was able to pick up Curt right after work (we were both downtown). He was staying in the same La Quinta that I had stayed at for a week when I was here in July to take the bar exam and search for houses, so I knew the location well. He was right ready to go when I picked him up and he let me chose the place that we would eat dinner. I was glad he did because I had really been craving to go to Terry Black's BBQ (my favorite BBQ in the city) and he was totally game for it. It turned out to be perfect. It was right across the street from the Long Center, which Curt had helped raise money for and wanted to see, and we both agreed that the brisket there is about as good as it gets. We had a great conversation and covered a wide range of topics. I thought the funniest thing as I was reflecting on our conversation later is how little we talked about the most obvious things that most people would talk about. Curt never really asked about how my job was going. I never really asked about his, or what he was doing in Austin. Those things came up tangentially and we covered them a bit, but they did not drive the conversation. Rather we just skipped straight to all kinds of topics—deep and shallow, funny and serious, spiritual and superficial. Anyway, the conversation was really satisfying and enjoyable, and the food was to die for. In fact, after sharing this place with Curt and seeing how much he liked it, I felt bad that I still hadn't really shared it with my own family (so far I had only gone there with work colleagues). So the very next night I was back at Black's eating more brisket—this time with Kristi and the kids! (And it was just as good! I don't think I'll ever get tired of that place! :) Anyway, so thanks again for taking the time, Curt. What a fun Friday night. 

Now as Jann and others have encouraged, I thought I better send this letter with an update on my week to the whole Bark, rather than just to Max. 

Work is busier and more challenging than ever. It's not really my favorite topic to talk about right now and I'm sure it's not fun to hear me complain, so I'll just leave it at that: it is the most difficult thing I have done mentally and intellectually, and it is also really challenging psychologically to stay motivated and keep getting up for long day after long day. But I am grateful for my job. I think it will get better. It is just really taxing right now and hard to be starting something new I guess. 

As usual though, everything else seems to be going pretty well in comparison. The kids are still loving school and Kristi is like super-mom taking care of them and keeping their lives full and enriched. I try to get home in time to see them for an hour or two before bed. I rarely get outside or get much exercise during the week, so when I get home, I love to go on a walk with the family around the neighborhood. This week we had a funny experience. At least I hope that I can laugh about it and that no harm was done—though it still makes me nervous. We were just about to start our walk and suddenly a lawyer that is the in-house counsel for one of our biggest clients was out walking with his wife. I had met him once and we had figured out that we lived near each other and both enjoyed walking around the neighborhood, so I wasn't really surprised to see him, but I was a little nervous. Client relations are obviously very important in a service industry like this and so you want to make your best impression. In fact, just that week, I had spent about eight hours doing research for some partners just to help them be up to date on current law so they could "look good" at a conference that they were going to see this same client at. Eight hours! So, yeah, it's pretty important to look good in front of the client. Anyway, this guy was really nice and we started walking with them. Kristi and the kids talked to his wife (apparently she is an engineer at Apple, so I'm sure their conversation was fun) and he and I were a few steps ahead visiting together about more legal things. Before you know it, we are much closer to his house than ours and Ivy is complaining that she has to "go pee pee" and asking if she can use their bathroom. They are gracious enough to say yes and not make it seem weird—it will give us a chance to see the new Halloween decorations they just put up!—but of course the whole thing just freaks me out. So Ivy and Kristi and Ben went in the house while Gwen and Tess and I stayed out. I just prayed that Ivy only needed to go number one and that she would flush, but neither of those is a given with Ivy. Oh, also, there was some awkwardness because right at the beginning of the walk, Ivy had noticed a big spider in Tess's stroller, so we were carrying Tess while trying to figure out where the dang thing had gone. It was a beefy red spider that I didn't recognize and I knew it was still in there but I couldn't get it out, so that was another distraction. Then Nick called right in the middle of all this and for some reason I actually picked up so sorry again Nick for the weirdness of that conversation! :) Anyway, the whole thing was kind of funny I guess. Luckily, the client and his wife are super nice people and are pregnant with their first so they at least acted like they thought our kids were funny and cute and not annoying. And yes it was not ideal to have to use their bathroom, but I will be waking up tomorrow (and everyday this week) to go spend at least 12 hours a day doing work for (mostly) this client instead of spending time with my kids, so I guess it is what it is. :) Anyway, I had to record the story.

Kristi wrote a little about the fun time we had yesterday at McKinney State Park. I don't have too much more to add, but it was a great time. We went with Brian and Ralphie's family and it just makes me happy every time we're with them that we are still such good friends (for Barkers who don't know, these are some of our best friends who we knew when we lived here before. They still live up in Round Rock, so we aren't close enough to see them every day, but we have been hanging out with them at least a couple times a month since we moved back). The kids all get along so well, and this time in particular, we were just in a really fun place to play and hang out. Like Kristi said, this "swimming hole" was almost magical. It kind of reminded me of the place where they are swimming and swinging on vines in that old movie "Swiss Family Robinson." There are no vines here, but there is a waterfall and cool rock formations and you just think—this is way too perfect to be natural, this has to be fake. But it's not, so it's cool! :) 

So it's been a good week for us and I better sign off soon, but I did want to say a few words specifically about your last letter, Max. I'm so sorry about the hateful things people have said to you. Just reading the words brought back memories from my mission and the wounds that I felt in similar experiences—experiences that are now dusty and faded and far behind me--suddenly felt fresh and real. I could totally empathize with what you were going through and I even remembered specific experiences—specific things that people said—that I remember shaking me up. I remember where I was standing, and what they said, and how I felt, and how frustrating it was that I didn't have the words to bear testimony that would just shut them up like how Joseph Smith did with the guards. Even if I couldn't shut them up, I wanted to say something smart, to make an impression that would not be easy for them to brush off and forget. But, instead, I usually just felt like I perpetuated the stereotypes their hateful opinions were based on. They made fun of my Spanish or my naiveté about something and my response only proved them right—that my Spanish did leave something to be desired and I did not know a lot about whatever topic they accused me of being naïve about. Those times were hard and, in many ways, have been the inspiration for me to keep learning and growing since then. I feel like experiences like those—and how bad I hated those feelings—have given me an unquenchable desire to learn and be able to talk about anything without being the clueless one who doesn't know what they're talking about. As a result, I have worked hard and learned and grown a lot. As with my job right now, sometimes the learning and growing is hard and painful as well. But I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to go to school, to study the scriptures, to discuss things with interesting and brilliant people and to do all the other things that have helped me learn. I pray for you, Max, as you get humbled and have to deal with people like Elena, that you will let the humility sink in and give you that same desire to be more prepared to counter her misconceptions next time, to better stand up for the faith that you represent, to better articulate the testimony that is inside you and that is so real. Perhaps you will never get another chance with Elena, but there will be plenty of other people in life that you will have a chance to influence if you are prepared to do so—to put your best foot forward. Let your experience with Elena and her ilk motivate you to prepare for these future experiences and the Lord will be able to use you for lots of good and important things. 

Anyway, we also pray for Antonio and hope to hear good news next week that he is baptized. What an amazing experience it must be to open a new area. Sure hope that you are hanging in there and keeping that faithful good attitude. I'm sure that you are. Thanks for being such a good example of that to me. 

Love you Max (and anyone else who actually made it to the end of this long letter!)

Blaine

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