Week65

April 29, 2018

 

Dear Loved ones,

I thought Spring had finally come to Pocatello. Trees are in bloom and daffodils are everywhere. However, today has been cold and rainy with a wind that always blows. Hopefully, Spring will come back soon and stay for a while.

Tuesday, at my Public Affairs Meeting we had a couple come from the Mennonite community just west of Pocatello and talk to us about the history of their group. I was sitting next to Brother Funk and he told me that he had grown up in that community.  I ask him if there were a lot of Funks in that group and he assured me there were. We were told that the Mennonites were originally the Anabaptist that broke away from the Catholic Church. They take their name from a man, Mennon, who was an early leader in the movement. They left Germany for Ukraine and eventually left Ukraine and came to Kansas.   This group left Kansas and came to Idaho when the government offered good farmland for them. I always thought that the Mennonites broke away from the Amish. They told us that the opposite was true. There is a broad spectrum of beliefs among all the Mennonite groups with the Amish being the most conservative of the groups.  They recognize each other's group by the shape of their beards. The man who spoke to us had a long narrow rectangular beard. It was a very interesting evening.

Friday night my friends, Kris and Jay Kunze gave me a ticket to the Symphony. Two orchestras combined creating an incredibly powerful sound in that amazing Fine Arts Center on the ISU campus. The ISU civic orchestra combined with the Idaho Falls Symphony orchestra. Each Conductor led two items on the program which included: Prelude from Die Meistersinger by Wagner, Bolero by Ravel, the L’Arlesienne Suite by Bizet and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.  So much powerful music – it was so uplifting.  It seemed like when we left there we could conquer the world.

I have never been particularly fond of Bolero. My roommate in College’s boyfriend wanted to propose to her with that playing in the background, so he borrowed several of the old 33rpm records that you could stack on the old phonograph players. (Wow most of my grandkids won’t know what I am talking about). He didn’t know how long it would take him to get up his courage to actually pop the question. Once through Bolero is enough for me! I was amazed at much more I enjoyed it when I could see it played. When the melody travels from instrument to instrument as you see all the cellos strumming as it builds until the strings can use their bows.  It was so much more of an experience than the just listening.

Sunday, I would have loved to have been with you all.  I appreciate the video that was sent to me of Collin opening his mission call.  I am so happy for him.  I will give him the home address of Elder Moonsarn, one of our missionaries that just went home.  He was so shy when I first came and he grew into a fine missionary.  He will be good leadership for them in Bangkok.

Sunday was a crazy day for me. The teachers of the other 7-year-old class didn’t come, so I had 12 in my class. It was not as bad as I had anticipated.  Things went amazingly well. I talked to Collin on the phone as I drove home. I tried to skype in when I got home, but you all must have gone on to the Eagle Court of Honor.  So proud of Collin for his accomplishments. Sad to not be there to give hugs to him and to Emily on Saturday night with her successful win!! It will be good to be home and not missing such events.

Love and hugs,

 

Grammie/Sister Shill