Letters from home

At times there is a need to chastise or correct our children. It's never fun and often comes with much heartache. The result is always growth for the parent and hopefully for the child too. Situations and distances can make it difficult. But when it's received with love you recognize that it is all worthwhile.

Isn't that what the scriptures are? Our Father chastizing us for our misdeeds and praises for our good behavior? His letters to us giving us His wise council. There are always parallels that can be drawn for each situation in our lives. I am ever grateful for these difficult growth spurts in my spiritual life.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 is much different than any other we've ever had in our home. Two daughters are not here. Erin spent the day with Al and Jack's family and of course Sammi is in the MTC. My dad wasn't with us either which was strange as we always have Thanksgiving together.

A day to be thankful. I have so much.

My husband who is my best friend.

Children who make good decisions.

Grandchildren who make me smile.

Extended family who have so graciously helped us in the past few months during our travels.

My warm house and big woodpile.
Enough to eat.
An awesome seminary class filled with beautiful students.
A bounteous apple crop.
Potatoes that grew and grew and grew.
A sister who always tells me she loves me.
Brothers who love me even though we don't say it often.
Friends who listen and share their love and laughter.
Vehicles that run.
A job that provides.

This country and those that serve to protect us.

Telephones, emails and facebook to keep me connected to loved ones.

Missionaries who come and go through our home and lives.

The mild fall weather.

Women who share their recipes.

My Savior, Jesus Christ.

There is much, much more but you get the idea. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hermana Pleshek Contact Info

For those of you who want to check on how Sammi is doing on her mission, you can go to her mission blog as I will be posting her letters and pictures there. sisterpleshek.blogspot.com
Her MTC address is posted there as well as her first letter home.

Sammi's Missionary Adventure Begins

On Sunday after Sammi's last talk in church, we left for Milwaukee to spend the night with President and Sister Barrett. Sammi adores President Barrett as he was a witness that she should serve a mission. We had a great time with them. It's interesting that we've become such great friends. I never thought that those were the type of circles I would be in.

We stopped and visited with Scott and Kris Cunningham on Tuesday afternoon. This is the view from their driveway. I have to admit I'm a little bit envious that I don't have a view like this. We stayed long enough into the early evening that I was able to watch the temple (Jordan River) be lit.

The Bohls have been absolutely wonderful to us in allowing us to stay with them. Here they are with Sammi before we left them on Wednesday morning. As you can see, Ben was a tad bit tired.

Traveling with the stake president does have it's perks. Sammi wasn't set apart as a missionary until Wednesday morning. Thanks Brooklyn for letting us not only sleep in your bed, but use your room to set apart Sammi as a missionary. Sharla was kind enough to take this photo for us.

Taking your missionary to the MTC is a new experience compared to what it used to be. You drive in and you're given a curb-side parking spot. There are a couple of Elders in each spot to help the newcomer with their luggage. We unloaded, gave hugs and bid farewell. I suppose it could be very emotional, be we left our emotions in Brooklyn's room in the morning before we left. Sammi is a very outgoing, confident woman who will adjust easily and make friends quickly.

I have to say that as I sat on the plane from SLC to Denver I spent some time writing in my journal. In part I have to tell you that my joy is full and brimming over. I have rarely felt such feelings. The joy and happiness that comes through the Holy Ghost cannot be equalled. I feel such a sense of calm that I've never felt before as I've left my children in a faraway place. Life is good!

32 quarts

Tom, Pat and I spent several hours today canning apple pie filling. If you count, you won't see that many jars as there aren't that many. Some are 2 quart jars and there are still 3 quarts in the canner. Plus, there's an apple crisp in the oven. Hopefully these will seal so I don't have to go back and re-seal them. I have that wonderful feeling of accomplishment!

21 Year Journey

Yesterday was Sammi's 21st birthday. She is my middle child and also my middle girl. I can relate to that middle child thing. She loves taking pictures. Most of time, she has a camera very near by and will be found taken random pictures as evidenced by the above photo.
Dancing is another of her loves. Anytime there is music, there is either singing or dancing. I swear she knows the lyrics to any song out there. Her body was made to dance as she does it a lot. I can see her now, going through withdrawals while serving her mission as she won't have dance music to listen to. But I bet she'll dance anyway.
Can you believe that this little girl was shy? I really can't either. She was though. She was always a very tender-hearted child. She still is. What you see with Sammi is exactly what you get. Her heart and emotions are worn on her sleeve. There is no barrier that needs to be broken down to get to know her. She's the genuine thing. The real deal. My Samantha Sue is a true and devoted friend. She loves her friends (many of which include her cousins) with all of her being. Her friends do include her sisters. Whenever there are sisters together, there is craziness if Sammi is there. She's totally random in her words and that makes me laugh.
This little doll was the best infant ever. After the nightmare I had with Tom, I told everyone that God wouldn't do that to me two times in a row.... and he didn't. She was such a good baby! She had the gift to heal hearts that were broken. At one point in her first month of life, she healed a broken heart by just sleeping in a friend's arms.
Sammi loves being aunt Mimi. As much as she teases Cami you would think that Cami wouldn't like her very much, but she always goes back for more. I think being away from Cami and B will be the hardest part of her mission.


I chose this final photo because the plaque shows that they are standing at the entrance to the Sacred Grove. This is the reason that she will be leaving us for 18 months to serve as a missionary. As I ponder the 13 days left before she is a full-time missionary, I recognize several things. First, our house will be much quieter and cleaner, but also more boring. Second, I expect that the blessings of having a child serving a mission will be more abundant in our lives. Third, I know her example to her siblings is outstanding and will leave a lasting impression. Lastly, I know she has a tremendous testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the fact that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the restoration.

Yes, I have been blessed to have this child as my daughter. I don't believe Heavenly Father makes mistakes when he sends specific spirits to our homes. They come for a reason. I cannot express the pain of a mother's heart as I've seen her struggle and see her hurt. Then the joy comes to my heart as I watch her make the correct decisions in her life. I've seen her put her trust in the Lord and have her prayers answered in ways that I didn't expect. Yes, I am blessed!