A letter to Dan when he was in Mongolia.
I wonder if you'll read these emails in the order they were written.
Boy, what a day. Before I go into play by play here's my take away. Not sold on the puppy, wish we had Gryff. My friends are awesome.
The morning was rough, as you saw from the other emails, (but don't tell Jonny if you haven't) Nicole woke up this morning and found that Kemo (the dog) had died of pneumonia during the night. He had been sick last week, but he had just started antibiotics and was improving on Saturday. She immediately called Chrissy who ran outside when I was picking up Hannah, Eliot and Violet for church. Sarah went over to watch Chrissy's kids while Chrissy and I went to Nicole's and Hannah stayed with the 5 children in the car waiting to go to church. We walked in and Nicole was a mess. She blamed herself for not taking him to the vet earlier and then she was hysterical saying things like- what if it was one of my children and I didn't hear them in the night. Jonny and Nicole always joke about their dogs but they love them like kids. Kemo was more his dog than hers, so she doesn't want him to know what happened till she can tell him in person when he gets home. Chrissy and I bagged up the puppy and put him in Sarah's shower. He couldn't stay in the house and we didn't want him outside in the heat because he would start to smell before we could bury him. Nicole was supposed to do sharing time, play the piano for Emily Maitland and had a baptism after church. I left telling her we'd take care of everything, I'd packed a lunch for the kids and I figured Hannah could help Mary Jane with singing time. But when I got to church all I had to do was tell Kate Hanberg what had happened and she and Kumi left Sacrament meeting during the last speaker. They took care of everything. And Sean Hanberg went to buy a shovel and came over to dig the grave this afternoon. I was really thankful for that. Everyone came over for dinner- kind of told Mary is was her big party. Nicole left this evening doing much better, but she spent most if the day reading online about what she could have done rather than what she did. She'll be much better in a few days. Sarah, Chrissy, Nicole, Kate, Kumi, Mana... they are all awesome. I'm feeling so thankful for them.
Boy, what a day. Before I go into play by play here's my take away. Not sold on the puppy, wish we had Gryff. My friends are awesome.
The morning was rough, as you saw from the other emails, (but don't tell Jonny if you haven't) Nicole woke up this morning and found that Kemo (the dog) had died of pneumonia during the night. He had been sick last week, but he had just started antibiotics and was improving on Saturday. She immediately called Chrissy who ran outside when I was picking up Hannah, Eliot and Violet for church. Sarah went over to watch Chrissy's kids while Chrissy and I went to Nicole's and Hannah stayed with the 5 children in the car waiting to go to church. We walked in and Nicole was a mess. She blamed herself for not taking him to the vet earlier and then she was hysterical saying things like- what if it was one of my children and I didn't hear them in the night. Jonny and Nicole always joke about their dogs but they love them like kids. Kemo was more his dog than hers, so she doesn't want him to know what happened till she can tell him in person when he gets home. Chrissy and I bagged up the puppy and put him in Sarah's shower. He couldn't stay in the house and we didn't want him outside in the heat because he would start to smell before we could bury him. Nicole was supposed to do sharing time, play the piano for Emily Maitland and had a baptism after church. I left telling her we'd take care of everything, I'd packed a lunch for the kids and I figured Hannah could help Mary Jane with singing time. But when I got to church all I had to do was tell Kate Hanberg what had happened and she and Kumi left Sacrament meeting during the last speaker. They took care of everything. And Sean Hanberg went to buy a shovel and came over to dig the grave this afternoon. I was really thankful for that. Everyone came over for dinner- kind of told Mary is was her big party. Nicole left this evening doing much better, but she spent most if the day reading online about what she could have done rather than what she did. She'll be much better in a few days. Sarah, Chrissy, Nicole, Kate, Kumi, Mana... they are all awesome. I'm feeling so thankful for them.
I came home from church with Nicole's kids, because she actually showed up at church at the end of Sacrament meeting, but didn't last 25 minutes before she walked into nursery to tell me she had to go home and would I bring her children home after church. When I got home the puppy came in and immediately began peeing on the floor. I was getting a bit tired and literally threw him right back out the sliding glass door. Poor guy. He needs to get house trained. Nicole came over to get her kids, but then came back over for dinner and waffles.
Our Christmas cards came so I started writing a few. Then I rested and Sarah and Chrissy helped bring stuff over for dinner while Nicole was burying the dog with Sean.
I was called to nursery today! And I think Sarah would also be great. She even said she'd love it this evening. It would be great to have another mom in there by the time I have the baby so I don't feel bad taking a couple weeks off in February. Or maybe my mom could help out in nursery the couple weeks she is here. That brings me to a conversation I just had with the bishop on the phone. During sacrament meeting when I walked out to talk to Kate about primary for Nicole a Pakistani mom caught me in the hallway and asked for help. Money. I told her I couldn't help her but that after Sacrament meeting I would introduce her to the bishop and show her his office. After the meeting she found me again and I walked her down where Hikaru said he wasn't free till 10:45 or 11:00. He was really busy today. So we told her to come back. I went to nursery, Maeser did great. And I'm excited to be there. I actually worked with the older nursery class in the smaller class room. This Pakistani woman is the same one that I spoke to you about several times. She has been fairly aggressive when I drop Maeser off and it makes me uncomfortable. Today she walked back into the nursery room when Mina was getting the snacks.
She said that the pastor didn't have time to see her and that I needed to go with her to introduce her to the pastor. I explained that I was teaching a class and couldn't leave. She tried to explain her situation and how desperate is was. She became angry with me and I said I couldn't leave. Then I told her she needed to go and she could continue waiting by his office but that I couldn't do anything to help at the moment. She was furious and then said "look at my son!" I practically had to close the door on her because she wouldn't leave and I was in front of all the children.
There needs to be a non parent policy in the nursery. Period. We can bring children to the parents, but if you are a real investigator you need to be attending your own classes anyway.
When my class ended and I brought the older children into the big nursery class she was there. And she was staring at me but sitting by Maeser. He was happy to see me and Josh was keeping a close eye on him. Maeser was so tired he fell asleep as soon as we started driving. I called the bishop at about 7 this evening to explain what happened. She never got in to meet with him. He doesn't know who she is by name. He said he would make time to speak with her next week or you could. But she seems so desperate that it is really uncomfortable. I doubt there is much we can do for her. (Meaning that the church can do for her.) She has been in Bangkok for one year. I don't know much else about her.
When Ron, our landlord, comes by in the next week or so, we should ask about a home security system. Not to make you nervous before you get back or anything. We are safe. But we do see a lot of desperate people in hard times, more than a lot of our other expat friends. At dinner Sarah said, "You seem a little fixated on someone coming to the house." She is right, I probably over reacted, but Nicole said she often feels the same and Chrissy said she doesn't trust anybody at church. Without a strong testimony and hoping that you are doing some good and teaching your kids correct principles and getting them into the habit of attending all their meetings, I doubt any of us would choose to go. It takes a lot of trust in others and in the Lord to know everything will work out and that you are doing the right thing. I almost feel like I need to repent of what happened today, and then I feel indignant and protective only because she was being so assertive. Maybe it's my pride and me thinking that I don't need to repent because I feel like what I did was right. Maybe I did do what was right but need to repent of my feelings afterwards. That is kind of a new thought. Actually, I was angry with the woman and a little afraid after I walked back into Nursery. But I shouldn't judge her. I need to be careful, I need to be kind. I need to follow church policies and the counsel from you and the bishop. But I shouldn't feel angry. I am so blessed. I want God to know how thankful I am. I want Him to trust me to do the right thing and have compassion for others. I want to be good. I can control my feelings and fulfill my callings and take care of our children and be responsible. It is not an impossible task. (Kind of sounds like I'm giving myself a pep talk huh?)
Anyway, I've been typing this out on the phone and by now I realise I should have pulled the computer out. It was going to be a short good night message. :)
Mary had a great birthday. She was beautiful in her new Christmas dress. She was so thankful for the strawberries. I am proud of her and who she is becoming. I love her dearly and am so thankful she is ours.
I love you, and hope you aren't freezing cold.
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