Week 40

Querida Hermana Lutze,

OK life is starting to normalize a little... It was crazy before we left and while we were gone. Sorry our e-mails were a little sporadic! We had a fun trip and wished that you could have been with us. However, we're so proud of you and the lives you are touching! You are truly spreading the light of the gospel just like the lighthouses that we saw along the Oregon Coast. While in Port Angeles, Washington for church last Sunday, we sang hymn 335 "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy." I've never sung this song before and the words were powerful! I think because of where we had been and a couple of books that I've been reading-"Salt to the Sea" and "Finest Hours" the words had great meaning. "Brightly beams our Father's mercy From his lighthouse ever more, But to us he gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore." You are a lighthouse to those around you! They see your light and they are drawn to it as is evidenced by the stories that you share. I also like verse 3 "Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; Some poor sailor, tempest tossed, Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost" with the chorus, "Let the lower lights be burning; Send a gleam across the wave. Some poor fainting, struggling seaman. You may rescue, you may save." We never know for good or bad how our actions will touch others. Life is too short and we must always try to make our actions a 'light' for others. While hiking the "Boy Scout Tree" trail in the Redwoods I thought about some other things... The roots on the path were causing us to trip if we didn't look down and focus on them. This can be compared to Satan's snares. We must always be looking for them-ever on guard. At the same time, if we are always looking down then we are missing the beauty that is above. So we must stop and look... this can be compared to scripture study, prayer, church and temple attendance... the fundamental practices in the church. We must be persistent and consistent with these or they can quickly go by the way and be forgotten. These practices are what bring the Spirit into our lives which in turn softens our hearts allowing us to continue to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Highlights of the Trip

• Redwood Forest-great hikes, incredible trees

• Oregon Coast-incredible lighthouses and tide pools!

• Kayaking in Humboldt Bay

• Sand Dunes-riding a razor

• Olympic National Forest (We must return! Hannah is going to marry a neurosurgeon so she can have a house on Lake Crescent. :))

• Seattle-Chihuly Garden and Glass - incredible artwork of glass

We ate some good food-Italian, Mexican, and seafood... a little bit of everything! :) I'm sure the Mexican wasn't quite as good as what you're eating down there BUT it was the best food we had on the entire trip. I definitely go back to the Puerto Vallarta!

Keep fighting for the right. I have to say that the thing that was the most distressing to me on our trip was the number of people with tatoos and piercings! I was disgusted. We've also seen our fair share of Gay and Lesbian couples. It's sad when you see two girls or guys together and you wonder... It can't just be two friends together anymore. :(

We love you!!!! We're so glad you're on the path of righteousness and not the one that rocks!!!

Love,

Mom