Dorothy

Sunday, July 11, 2010
Dear Lindgren Family,

I have been keeping busy the past two months getting Marcus ready for his mission. It has been an enjoyable and exciting time as we did things together and got them “checked off the list.” Marcus had also spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to keep and pack away in his room while he’s gone for two years, and what to throw away. He was able to slip in some fun times with his friends and family, seeing a few new movies, and just “hanging out.” He gave an awesome talk at the Stake Priesthood Meeting in May and again at his “farewell” the last Sunday of June. The evening of his setting-apart was a wonderful time with the family and of strengthening our testimonies. It felt fast and furious at the airport as we helped him check in his luggage and get his boarding pass, and then he was off! We were very happy to get the e-mail from the Preston MTC a day and a half later saying that he had arrived safely. We know he will be a great missionary. We feel very blessed with good children who desire to serve the Lord.

We love getting Penny’s letters as she tells us of her investigators, mission experiences, and bears her testimony. Most recently she and her companion were able to see one of their investigators baptized and then he baptized his granddaughter.

I was happy to find out about Jodie’s son’s mission call, even if it was through “Facebook.” Congratulations Rick on your first missionary grandson.

As soon as Ariane was through with school, we went to the Grand Canyon for our family’s summer vacation this year. We also saw some other sites like dinosaur tracks, an old volcano, and some Indian ruins. But the highlight of the trip was our time spent with Jim and Priscilla and their family at their home, and to go and be with them to the Snowflake Temple.

The last week of June, Ariane went to stake youth conference held at Brighton Meadows. The theme was “Walk With Christ” where the youth had an exceptionally spiritually strengthening experience for three days as they were taught about the Savior. I was privileged to be in the adult choir as part of a special presentation one night. It was awesome!!! The stake leaders really went all out to make it a spiritual "feast” for the youth. Speaking of Brighton Meadows, do any of you remember that place? It is owned by Brighton Stake and the place where we had the 1990 Doelling family reunion. I remember because Marcus was a three month old at the time. So while I was there 1 ½ weeks ago, I pointed out the pine trees to Ariane that Dad, Nicole, and Heidi helped plant earlier that year (or was it the year before?). Were there others that helped plant those trees? You can imagine that they are very tall now and Dad would be pleased to see the beauty they have added to the campsite. One of the service projects the youth did during this years youth conference was to plant more pine trees there.

That same last week of June, Becky went as a leader to her ward’s YW camp, so we got to have Katherine, David, and Dorothea stay at our house. We had a fun time with them.

We’ve also been helping Heather move into her new home in Pleasant Grove and help her with some repairs, yard work, and cleaning projects. She’s happy to have all her stuff under one roof, but can’t believe the stuff she has accumulated over the years!

My newest callings in our ward are ward organist and ward choir leader. Even though I play piano, these new callings require some new skills I’m going to have to learn. Life is full of new learning experiences and I am thankful for them, as they help enrich my life and give me feelings of deeper fulfillment.

We love you and look forward to reading your Lingo letters, but more especially to visiting with those of you coming to the Lindgren Reunion this week.

Love, Dorothy and family