2-15-10 "To Eternity and Beyond"

Today's subject line is brought to you by Elder Parker. He coined the phrase a few weeks ago, obviously spinning it off of Buzz Lightyear's catch phrase, and I've forgotten to tell you about it for a few weeks running. I like it. He also said he might have that written on his car after he gets married, instead of the typical, "Just Married." Inspired, I think.

Sister Hoskins, Sister Smith and I are getting along swimmingly. Sister Hoskins and I were already great friends, but I think having a third person there helps us to get along even better, because we certainly have different personality types. Sister Smith loves music, just like Sister Hoskins, and movies, just like me. She knew what I was quoting when I said, "Presidential flashcards," so That Thing You Do! is one of her favorites, too. So far, having three people hasn't been too much of a challenge, except I hope that we are giving her sufficient opportunity to speak her mind and testify, too. With three of us, it's really easy for someone's voice to get lost, and I don't want that to happen. I guess since I'm aware of it I'll know to try and combat it. I'll send pictures when I can. Sister Smith is from Bellevue, Nebraska, a suburb of Omaha, and loves the Cornhuskers.

Our Valentine's Day was also filled with being served by members. I'm glad to hear the elders enjoyed the manicotti. It's fabulous, so they should have. I made some red velvet cupcakes for district meeting on Friday, and they were consumed in minutes, too. That was actually before I received your package with the mix and frosting. I ended up making my own homemade cream cheese frosting, but we'll put the other to good use, too, when we make the next batch. Anyway, yesterday we actually ended up with both a lunch and a dinner appointment. First we had a typical Texas supper: brisket, red potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, made for us by a nice couple in the ward, the Crandalls. Then we had dinner with the Merrills: breakfast for dinner, featuring more fruit, spinach quiche, and popeye pancakes. Delicious, and just what Sister Smith needed, since her family tradition is to have breakfast for dinner on Sunday night. So whlie you were feeding and giving rides to the missionaries, your missionary was being well-fed, too.

Thanks for the two great Valentine's boxes. We will be enjoying them for days. The CDs are great! All I really wanted was the picture of the Idaho Falls temple, but I got two, and Mt. Timpanogos and President Monson to boot. The one of the IF temple in the rain is actually my favorite, and it reminds me of the day I went through the temple for the first time. That was kind of a grey morning. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Mt. Timpanogos temple, but lately I've been thinking just how much I really do love the Idaho Falls temple, and now I can ponder it in all its simple majesty. And I loved the cards. Actually, we recently started volunteering at an animal shelter, and I think last week I WAS kissed by a dog. But only very briefly. Special thanks to Eli, my sweet baboo, for the "infinity plus one" card. I love YOU the moster more, too. And I definitely love you more than Celeste, even though I'm sure she's a nice girl. Just remember, I got your heart first, so I get to decide when you have secret admirers. Although, if I remember correctly, second grade Valentine's day was when Kevin May proposed to me, so maybe it just runs in the family.

Cassidy, I'm not sure I know who you're talking about that knows me and may or may not be named Jordan. Any more details? Is he really young? What's his last name? But that's cool that he got called to the Houston South mission. I don't know if it's as great as the original Texas Houston mission, but I'm sure it's still amazing.

Thanks for the addresses. I'll be sure to get a letter off to Miss Amanda, and I'll probably send something to Elise soon. I got a letter back from Aarika this week. See if you can find out what her address is now, because I know she moved from where she was living last. And if you have any time to peek at blogs, check out damonjaclyn.blogspot.com because Sister Hoskins and I have been blogged about. She also has a craft blog with another sister in our ward, so maybe the link to it is on there. I'm not sure. You can never have too many blogging friends.

Thanks for the Olympic updates. Members have been keeping us kind of posted. Everyone fell asleep before the torch was lit, but we heard all about the icebergs and whales thing, and the tragic death of the luger. Not good. They said they even showed the footage on the news. Tacky. I'm glad to know Mr. Gretzsky got his moment to shine. He really is the king of ice. And if the 1980 team got to light it in Salt Lake, Wayne deserves to light it in Vancouver.

Mom, could you call Dr. Mathews office and ask for a phone consultation? Sister Hansen thinks we should just ask him for a second opinion about the nerve conduction study thing, and the fact that this doctor has now taken me completely off the sulfasalazin and wants me to have only one plaquanil a day. I haven't been feeling really bad, but I certainly haven't been feeling as good as I did when Dr. Mathews was treating me. See if you can do that.

I know there's something else I want to say, but I cannot at this moment think of it. It'll come to me later and hopefully I'll remember to say it next week. But until then, "to eternity and beyond." Sorry this week seems like a bunch of disjointed thoughts. Just think of it as a President's Day surprise, because we weren't sure if the library would be open.

Love from the always shining,
Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

P.S. Mom, the thing about flying with words was not cheesy. It made me feel really good, actually.

P.P.S. Go U.S.A!