Hyrum

Dear boys,
This week was clean clean clean. Visitors were coming so I was the only child left to clean. It was fun but then it was horrible because I was so tired. But after we went on the boat twice. And I jumped off a cliff it was amazing!😁
Love you guys, Sariah.
Sent from my iPhone

Cont'd...

Well, I accidentally sent the letter prematurely so I will sign off now and explain some photos. That photo of Big Thumb shows Sariah in mid air jumping into the water for the first time while Sydney jumps for joy!

Love you both so much!!

⛰Camp Week!🏕

Dear boys,

It's been a busy week for us here. Sydney and Samantha left for girls camp early Monday morning. Then Adam left for young men's camp early Tuesday morning. Our cousin Jonathan Hunter went with him because there is no Boy Scouts of America in Australia. ;)

Sariah and I were really busy cleaning our house and changing bed sheets so that Catherine and her kids from Sweden could come stay with us for a few days. We took them out on the boat to Hyrum because they wanted to wakeboard and surf. Marlynn, Amy, Lara, Seren and Tanner came out with us. Turns out, Sydney is getting pretty good at wake-boarding. And Sariah jumped off the cliff at Hyrum!! We took them out one more time early Saturday morning, this time with bulent joining us. They all loved going boating with their new "Utah family" so they'll probably come back next year!

After saying goodbye to our Swedish friends, we went out to Lewiston to Great Grandma Amy's birthday celebration.

Letter 6 24 2017

News:

Mom's friend Katherine (form Sweden) was in town this week to pick up her daughter who was here as a foreign exchange student last year.  They spent a few nights here.

Adam went to Scout camp with Jonathan Hunter.  The Hunter's are leaving to Australia July 8th for Dave to be a professor.  They'll be gone for an indefinite period of time.

The last few times we've been on the lake we haven't gotten the tube out which is nice.  Sydney is wanting to become a better wakeboarder and everyone else is wanting to surf.  I think this summer I'm going to insist that Riah and Manna learn out to surf.  I'll keep you updated on that.

Finally, Manna willingly got on a bike and can now peddle around without crashing.  It's about time.

Today I gave a lesson on self-reliance.  You may know that the church is pairing self-reliance training with the PEF with great results.  The videos on the church website are pretty inspirational even though most of them are dealing with people in third-world nations.

One of the areas that impresses me is the focus on become spiritually self-reliant.  You're learning valuable habits on your missions and I hope you're committing to maintain those habits the rest of your lives.  I think the pressures of society will continue to take it's toll on those who are not spiritually self-reliant.  Undoubtedly you will have friends that will fall away and that will be sad for everyone involved.

Keep the faith.  I love you both.

Dad

Photos day 1

⛺️Family Reunion!🌤

Dear Caleb and Jacob,

Another week gone by and now only 8 weeks left of Summer Vacay. We're trying to make the most of it though. Boy, time goes fast! I can't remember anything other than the family reunion from last week. It was at Laren and Sherri's home. We first hiked up to tour the Mt. Timpanogus Cave which was awesome! I haven't been through that since I was a little girl! We had a Dutch oven meal, volleyball, and memories and singing around the campfire. Some kids slept in tent and others just anywhere on the tramp or wherever they wanted to put their pad and sleeping bag. The next day we rode horses, had "tractor" rides in a trailer pulled by Bryan's four wheeler. We had a visit from Catherine Gensollen and her two kids from Sweden and also our friend Shauna Williams and most of her kids. (Caleb, I saw a picture of you bowling which was posted on instagram. The sister missionary next to you was Olivia's friend and she recognized you!). The kids did crafts and then their neighbors opened up their brand new pool for all of us to move the reunion over to. It was fun! We had water balloons, water bottle rockets and treasure hunt...the usual. Then we had a Hawaiian Luau for dinner, talent show/program and then night swimming while watching Lilo and Stitch! It was a great day and reunion. It was truly "almost Paradise!" We'll be in charge in a couple of years so we need to start coming up with ideas...

Sydney and Samantha left early this morning for girls camp. They are going to be at the Heber Valley Girls Camp. Samantha is very excited but Sydney not so much. I think this change up of ward boundaries has really shaken her up as far as feeling like she belongs. I hope that being up there with the girls and her leaders will help.

Adam and Jonathan Hunter are going to YM came up nearby the Heber Valley Camp tomorrow. There is no Boy Scouts of America in Australia so he's doing it here. Their family if leaving to Australia in 3 weeks.

It was Father's Day yesterday and the kids gave him some black licorice and a game of Utah-Opoly. So, we played it as a family last night and I must say, Dad's version to the game really is a lot more fun!

I'm so proud of you both and think of you in everything I do. Have another great week!

Love you!
Mom

Letter 6 18 2017

Ah... it's Summer.  What a great season.

We had the Winkel reunion this past week at Laren's house.  Laren and family did a great job hosting and those who came with good attitudes had a good time.

Family reunions are sort of like church.  If you go with a bad attitude, you might as well not go because there's nothing to be gained if you're already convinced you'll hate it.

When Mom and I were first married, I had a bad attitude toward reunions.  About fifteen years ago, I decided I was wasting my energy being negative.  It came clear to me one day when there was a small group of in-laws washing dishes in Grandma's kitchen and I started to listen (I mean really listen) to one of the in-laws talk about all of the problems she could see with the reunion.  I found myself wanting to ask her if she could hear herself.  It was poison and I decided at that moment that I would never involve myself in that type of behavior as relating to family.  

From that moment, I chose to stop all meaningful communications with that in-law.  I found that the negativity was so toxic that I couldn't be in the same room with it.  So, I am kind and say my salutations, then I immediately get away.  I think the only thing she has noticed is that she can no longer talk to me about all of the things she sees wrong with the reunion.  I think this has resulted in a separation of our relationship.  I say that some relationships are better when they are pared back.

Years ago, when I made this decision, I had allowed myself to become caught in some negative behaviors (listening to her, half-heartedly agreeing, etc.).  I decided to do a 180 on the negative behaviors and try to retain the few good behaviors I had.  Since making this change, my life has been more full and I have enjoyed Mom and her family even more.  I love her family...

Like I say, go to church with the right attitude if you want to gain anything out of it.

Time has a way to exposing character.  When the character of some is exposed, the reveal isn't flattering; others are revealed to be amazing, beautiful people.

Attitude is a x-factor.  I hope you maintain a good attitude toward your mission and your future.

I love you both,

Dad

Charts!

Screenshots from my missionary countdown AP...

Summer Rain💦

Dear Caleb and Jacob,

How was your week? It's been a great week here. We've been able to experience all the extremes that summer in Logan has to offer. It's been HOT, and now it's windy and rainy, all within one week. We were able to take the boat out onto Hyrum last Monday and today we're huddled inside wondering 'what do we do now?' No fear though, there's plenty to do! The kids had a slumber party downstairs last night so they know how to make the best of wet weather. We'll be sleeping outside again soon...

Adam had a great birthday in spite of still getting over his cold, complicated by his allergies. I'm sure he's stumped as to why none of us except the two little girls remember that he's only 24 turning 15. He doesn't seem to mind though. It must be flattering because he's so dang tall. Syd and I said he was 15 ALL of last year so I'm afraid we'll call him a 16 year old this year. 🙃

We'll be going down to Highland to Laren and Sherri's home for our "Almost Paradise" family reunion. They're good friends and neighbors just put in a pool so our family gets to break it in for them. We'll get to hike up to the Mt. Timpanogus Cave which is awesome! I haven't been in there since I was like Samantha's she! We'll have to take you two up one of these years. Also, Catherine Gensollen from Sweden, our exchange student that I went to visit in 2010 will be there with her two kids. She's picking up her oldest daughter who was just an exchange student with Shauna William's family just down the street from where I grew up, so that's COOL! She was like a sister to all of us Winkels.

We're looking forward to reading your letters tonight...Always our favorite time together! We love you both sooo much! I hope you feel that everyday because we pray that you DO! Have another fabulous week!

Love,
Mom

Summer Rain💦

Dear Caleb and Jacob,

How was your week? It's been a great week here. We've been able to experience all the extremes that summer in Logan has to offer. It's been HOT, and now it's windy and rainy, all within one week. We were able to take the boat out onto Hyrum last Monday and today we're huddled inside wondering 'what do we do now?' No fear though, there's plenty to do! The kids had a slumber party downstairs last night so they know how to make the best of wet weather. We'll be sleeping outside again soon...

Adam had a great birthday in spite of still getting over his cold, complicated by his allergies. I'm sure he's stumped as to why none of us except the two little girls remember that he's only 24 turning 15. He doesn't seem to mind though. It must be flattering because he's so dang tall. Syd and I said he was 15 ALL of last year so I'm afraid we'll call him a 16 year old this year. 🙃

We'll be going down to Highland to Laren and Sherri's home for our "Almost Paradise" family reunion. They're good friends and neighbors just put in a pool so our family gets to break it in for them. We'll get to hike up to the Mt. Timpanogus Cave which is awesome! I haven't been in there since I was like Samantha's she! We'll have to take you two up one of these years. Also, Catherine Gensollen from Sweden, our exchange student that I went to visit in 2010 will be there with her two kids. She's picking up her oldest daughter who was just an exchange student with Shauna William's family just down the street from where I grew up, so that's COOL! She was like a sister to all of us Winkels.

We're looking forward to reading your letters tonight...Always our favorite time together! We love you both sooo much! I hope you feel that everyday because we pray that you DO! Have another fabulous week!

Love,
Mom

Screenshots from my missionary countdown AP...

Letter 612 2017

Where does time go?  It flies by for me.

Saturday I went for a bike ride with friends in which we started in Leatham Hollow and ended coming out of Providence Canyon.  It was a fun and epic ride.  I got home and it was Adams birthday.  He's such a comfortable soul who wants to do things to please me and Mom.  I love him for it.

The rest of the week was spent doing work and feeling perpetually behind on everything.  I feel like I'm good at what I do but I'm lousy at delegating and as a result I'm always behind and running crazy.  Then when I delegate, things don't get done well.  Again, a further indictment on my character.

This weekend is the Winkel family reunion.  I like the reunions but I hate preparing for the talent show.  In past years we haven't done any talents to speak of.  This year Mom has been at us for some time now so we're going to try doing a synchronized swimming skit.  We'll let you know how that works for us.

Thought for the week -

Honesty is a complex topic for almost everyone I've ever met and I'm trying to master being honest in this life.  Every day there are situations that arise where it's easier to be politic than be totally honest.  Compound the desire to please people on top of that and you have a situation that I find myself in almost every day.

Are there easy answers?  Not for me.

One key is to place more value on moving forward with life without mental and emotional barriers.  If I can learn to do that and simply and candidly be straightforward and honest, I think life will treat me better in the long-run.  It's a journey.  Stay tuned...

I love you both,

Dad

90☀️must mean SUMMER!

Dear boys,

School's out and it's hot already! We just had snow and freezing temperatures not even 2 weeks ago and we're in the 90 degree temp zone already. It's awesome! 😎

How was your week! We can't wait to read your letters! (Caleb, of course, not till Wednesday). I hate to talk much of it but we just got off of the Lake in Hyrum and now we're headed home to put a quick FHE BBQ together for the Steven's and uncle Lyman. It was our first time taking it out for the season and as soon as we did, water was spitting out of the bilge. The plug was tight but we were still taking in water somewhere...dad went back up to quickly get the suburban and trailer to take it out again. We didn't want to sink the boat. It's a VERY HOOD THING we did because the people at Accurate Automotive forgot to put the plug in the BACK! Ugggh! That would've cost us a lot! So, we drove to the Lee's boat place in Hyrum and got on the lake 40 minutes later. Oh well, we still had fun in a short amount of time. The boat will go to Mitch's house in North Salt Lake for the next 3 weeks.

Sydney said her "goodbyes" to Sky View as she slowly walked out of the school for the last time as a student last Wednesday. Adam went to Lagoon last week for school and is taking advantage of his "bounce back" pass and going again tomorrow with friends. Everyone of the kids will be starting at a new school this fall.

Katelyn Field came home this last week and is doing so good. She's such a cute girl. She'll report her mission this Sunday. Jacob, your friend Danillo Guadarrama invited our family over to his "taco night" at his home to celebrate his graduation. It was such GREAT food! We though how much you wouldn't like it though, since your sick of Mexican food. 😉 Everything else is hunky dory here in North Logan. Love, love, love you both so much!!

Love,
Mom

Letter 6 4 2017

Summer has arrived.

This past week was Memorial day and I spent the entire vacation weekend working in the yard with Mom.  The outcome was that there was literally almost nothing to do in the yard yesterday...  We worked until about 2 on other stuff and then we were done...  I hope this means more mountain biking on the weekends!!!

It is great to hear from members in your mission.  Marsha Zimsky texted us this week about how thankful she was for Caleb when her friend decided to hear the gospel.  She said that Caleb was inspired and sensitive to her friend as the missionaries taught her the gospel.  I have to tell you, as Caleb's Dad, I'm so thankful for him and the man he's becoming.

There are different schools-of-thought among members of the church about the involvement of God in our lives.  On one end of the spectrum, some believe that God is involved in every little detail of our lives.  The other end of the spectrum others believe that we've been put on the earth and given our agency and then been trusted by God to make decisions without his intrusion.  

In my opinion, the latter view seems to have the weight of scriptural doctrine and is consistent with my life experience.  I'm not sure where your beliefs put you on the spectrum but some principles that are clear.  

First, God loves us because we are his children.  Among his many gifts given, He has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost to bless our lives and give us comfort.  At times, the spirit will prompt us toward certain ends.

Second, he will not interfere with our agency.  Aside from the Atonement, this is his greatest gift.  He trusts us enough to allow us to make choices and decisions for ourselves.  It is my belief that the spirit will never prompt in a manner that could interfere with our agency.  Thus Moroni encourages us to go to the Lord with our decision about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to get confirmation of what we already know to be true.

Third, God has a very different perspective about our life than we do.  Indeed, we cannot comprehend his perspective and may not even have the ability to approximate his understanding.

So, with that as a pretext, I don't know if Caleb was "meant to meet" Marsha Zimsky's friend at this time or if Jacob was "meant to meet" Richard.  I do know that we have the personal and sacred responsibility to live in a manner such that, when the need or opportunity arises, we stand ready to answer the call.

Remembering that living a righteous life has its own rewards, be thankful that through the priesthood, you can act as a direct conduit for God.

Consider all of this in context of your life.  Since you're both on a path for eventual marriage, will God tell you if you should get your education before you get married?  Will he will tell you if your choice of woman is right for a wife?  I see him counseling you to make the best decisions you can as you draw from your life experience.  I see him suggesting that you council with those you trust as you go through this process.  In other words, you are at a time in your life when, as an adult, with the life experience you've had, he is going to trust you to make the best decision you can.

I love you both.  I'm proud of you and I trust you'll make great decisions.  Have a great week.

Dad