September - Sandra

Family,

 

It is late and I have been up doing homework again.

 

My thought is along the same as moms. I taught a lesson today for Mackenzie's class and it was on service. Many of you have probably heard the story of Pres. kimball helping a mother in and airport who was standed with a small crying 2 year old. She was pregant and unable due to medical problems to pick up the 2 year old to console her. The child sat on the floor as the mother had to push her along in a long line with her foot. A man, after some time came up to her and asked if he could help her. She agreed and he picked up the child and went up in the line to explain that this lady needed help and he was able to get her to the front of the line and get her ticket so she and her child could be ready to get on a plane to go home. It was a small act of service, but many years later a letter came to pres kimball from a returned missionary who had just come home. It was the son of this lady that he had helped. Because of his service the young man was born and served a mission. I am impressed that our small acts of service no matter how small or big can have great effects on more then just the recipient. The scripture that says in Mosiah when ye are in the service of your fellow men ye are only in the service of your God. This is our small way of being able to repay the debt we have to our savior who performed the greatest act of service when he gave his life for each of us. It is through us that heavenly Father is able to answer prayers and help all of his children. Take the time to look for ways to serve. It will bless your life and the lives of those you serve.

 

As for our family we stay very busy. I am doing homework each week. You would think that I was in school. There are many days I go to work and I say guess what i didn't have homework last night. I am staying busy with Relief Society. I really don't think that I will ever get the hang of what I should be doing. I am terrible at planning week night activities of which I am in charge of. I have had some good ones but mostly I feel they are average and even boring. I could be here forever if I have to learn how to do this well before I get released.

Grant stays busy with his calling and also is trying to start a side buisness of handyman and finishing basements or whatever is needed. His job at the hospital is scaling back and so we are having to make up some funds with other things. He actually enjoys the side work of doing other peoples houses. However his buisness cards have Armstrong and sons on it and his sons aren't really around. If things pick up and he works more on this, Brad may start helping him with somethings when football season is over. It has been interesting to see how many people have come up to him in just the last couple weeks asking if he was interested in doing some work for them. The Lord is blessing us.

Most of you may know that Shelli finally finished her stat class and has officially graduated from BYU. We are very proud of her. She wasn't or didn't walk in a graduation and so we surprised her with a little ceremony at our Armstrong reunion in August. I made her a cake and we played the music and brought her in and gave a little speech. It was silly but we let her feel important and show her we were excited for her. She will have to fill you in on the rest of her life. I will say that she self published her book she wrote this week and I know for a fact that she has sold 1 copy. Her dad had to buy one even though I am not sure he will actually read. He told me I would have to buy my own copy to read cause it would take him quite a long time to read it. You might want to check it out.

Amy is in school right now also. She is working when she can. She has 2 classes and her and Brad actually drive together 2 days a week to go to the community college. I think she is doing well. Kelsie keeps us all entertained and we love to make her say silly words like super tough, and phycho spazz. She repeats everything. she is an Elmo freak. We are all so sick of Elmo. It is sad that a few weeks ago Amy's facebook status was Did you know there are 10 jackets in a jacket parade. This is how much we are all subjected to Elmo around here.

Brad is in the paper every weekend. He always manages to get his picture in there from the football games on Friday night. He is doing well in football and really enjoys it. Anytime any of you want to come watch a game your welcome to come. Every friday grant and i go to the football games. This is our weekly date night. We like to watch him play and as his mother I always like it when they say his name over the speaker that he had a tackle or interception, which he had 2 in one night. He is a good kid. his only hang up is English and writing papers that is where I get most of my homework from. He has a paper due every monday. and every week I say do not wait until Sunday night to work on this paper. I do not want to do it then. He dosen't even have school on Fridays and so i say work on the paper while you are home, but he is the best procrastinator ever. I can't break him of that.

Mackenzie still hates school. She can tell you how many days are left for this year and it just started. I think that she likes most of her teachers at least some of them make her laugh once in awhile. She does well. She is playing soccer right now. Her team is pretty bad. It is sad to have to watch and it is hard for her to have to play with them. Her coach is not that great at coaching. This has probably been the hardest year. This is however her last year as far as the city league. Next year she will try her luck at trying out for the school team.

Mark is still living at home. Some days I am ok with this in that I know he is safe and other times I think when will he ever grow up and become independant. He is finally going to take his GED test I hope this week. That will be a good accomplishment for him. He is not working right now but did work all summer long which was a good thing for him. He made some money and I think actually has some of it still saved. I hope that once he gets his GED done that he will go look for something better and stick with it. He hates money but we all know you can't get by without it unless you stay and mooch off someone and they let you. Maybe he will work a little with Grant on all his side jobs. We shall see.

The Armstrong house is full and crowded. There are people and things everywhere. I am pretty sure we have long outgrown the place. At least we are close. It is a good thing we love each other. We might not be able to stand the smell of each other on some occasions but we are pretty good about taking our showers as our turn in line comes up.

We love each of you. It is good to hear from you.

Sorry for the long novel. I am good at doing that. Can't seem to keep it short. I am sending this to grant but he will see how long it is and not want to read it. Hopefully you guys will read it.

Take care

Love Sandra