SKILLZ

Oi minah familia!

Como vai? Tudo bem?  Eu penso sobre voces, e amo voces muito.

Here are some things that I didn't get to in my email...

• CONGRATS TO SAWYER! (and Sophie) whoohoo, C2! (This is a testing level within the United States Pony Club that Sawyer just passed this summer.  Taylor helped him quite a bit before she left...mostly by providing him with her amazing pony to ride!  Sawyer has been very lucky to follow along in Taylor's footsteps as he rides the pony's that she has trained and then outgrown.  In this case, Sophie will never be outgrown by Taylor, but just happened to be looking for a job this summer.) 

There are three Phases of testing.  The first is riding on the flat

The last phase is Riding in the open/cross country!

The second section is Riding Over fences/show jumping.

• My district has been graced by my magnificent dancing abilities, paying me the high compliment of saying that I dance like a MOM.  I have to resist the urge of blessing the public with my skillz.

Whose MOM is my question?  This 50 year old has some moves...

Actually I think that what I think my district meant was that I dance like a GRANDMA:

I hope that I can keep dancing at 90, even with my amazing moves, 

cause I am amazing just the way I am!

• Speaking of skillz, I have successfully avoided volleyball for another week...only three more to go.

• MOM, the sheet music that you so painfully purchased, copied, and organized for us has been a great blessing!  Sister T and I usually do music for the first 30 minutes of personal study, and our district has joined us a few times.  Elder N is quite good on the piano, and E. P is too.  E. E played viola for 14 years.  Mormons are so musical!  I love it!
• Portuguese is still coming along really well, though it's frustrating to know that you are not grammatically correct.  Thankfully, Sister T learns super fast, so she's able to help a lot. 
• If it's not super inconvenient, could you please mail me wedding pictures of Maddie and Parker, and Mom and Dad on their wedding day in front of the temple.  Our teachers say that those pictures can be powerful teaching tools.
• Note to Levi:  Sorry that it has taken me so long to write back to you.  Thank you so much for writing!  The MTC schedule is crazy and both Garrison and I have commented on how there's rarely a time when we're not doing something.  It's great though.  It really is amazing how strong the Spirit is here. When distractions from the outside world are removed, you can really be sensitive to the promptings and guidance of the Spirit as you study and teach.  You're going to love the MTC experience! It's hard at time, but I have never felt so spiritually fed.  I loved hearing your many flat tire stories and your MANY missionary experiences.  I think that is really cool that your friend went on a church tour.  You are already doing missionary work!  I was reading in 2 Nephi 4 this week, which is an account of Nephi glorifying God after Lehi dies. It's an incredibly powerful account, and I love how Nephi felt everything so deeply ---it reminded me of you.  You are so passionate and have such strong emotions, and I know that  is the strength that will help you greatly on your mission. Please keep writing and sharing your experiences.