You know, in case you couldn't tell...
Today we have a packed list of last minute stuff to attend to. Just when we thought we had everything, it turns out we don't. I'm very glad we'll have Adam to help us tonight. He's smarter and more experienced (at being a missionary and at packing a suitcase efficiently).
Today also, I have some things to say unrelated to Braeden's mission:
1-Happy news!
Meet Lucette. She arrived yesterday. All ten. Pounds. Of. Her. (Well done Melanee!) She is already a well loved celebrity in the family. She is not only the Baby Dahl (23rd grandchild!) but she also has the distinction of being the biggest at birth. I can't wait to meet her later today.
2- This is what Emma wanted for her half birthday present:
She is a silly old bear, much like Winnie the Pooh, but incredibly huggable and cuddly when she wears her new pajamas.
3- I have been enjoying my grandma.
Sadly, she broke her back and is in a rehabilitation center and so wasn't able to come on Sunday. We've visited her a few times, including last night. I love my grandma! She'd already given a very generous donation to Braeden's mission but when we went last night--and Braeden was there to say good-bye--she retrieved a folded bill from her wheelchair and asked if he had room in his bag for that. She is the kindest, most generous grandma in the world.
Recently, when going through the possessions of their parents' that have passed away, my mom's cousins found a box of letters that their father, my grandma's brother, had written home during World War II. They made copies and then gave my grandma the box of letters. I have been reading the letters aloud to my grandma. She was still living at home at the time and so the letters are to her as well. They are a treasure trove of information. I love reading about the history of the time and getting an inside look at the life of a soldier. I also love the family history aspect of it. I always liked my great uncle Shirley. (He was named before Shirley Temple made Shirley a girl's name!) He was a talented piano player and always kind with twinkling eyes. He was also my grandma's next door neighbor. It is interesting to learn more about the relationship Shirley had with his parents and my grandma back then and I like to know the kinds of things they talked about.
The very best part is how inspired I feel when I read Shirley's words. He was incredibly optimistic and upbeat. He didn't complain about a single thing. There was one, "Golly it is hot today..." but that's hardly a complaint. He writes about what they're doing (we're at the beginning of the letters so he's still in training and hasn't gone to Germany yet) and who he is with. He's complimentary of his fellow soldiers and grateful for the food he's getting (food at home was rationed then). His letters are also chock full of gratitude to his parents, their way of life and how he was raised.
They make me want to be a better person.
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