Well, it's been an interesting week.
I'm not sure if I let you know, but Sarah's brother-in-law passed away suddenly this last Monday. No one saw it coming. The man, his name was Chris Laguna, is Sarah's oldest sister's husband. He was only 49ish, I think, and he had two teenage kids, Adina and Julius. It definitely is very sad. He was doing his best to live a good life, in the end. I wish I knew him better than I really did. He wasn't the most easy-to-get-to-know person. I know that I love his family very much. Adina is a beautiful girl, talented and happy, and I love spending time with her. And Julius is a helpful boy. Happy as well. Lisa has always been very good to me. And I love her and feel for her so much. It's hard to get over a death. Lisa asked me to help another family member dress him for burial. I am going to help, gladly. I'm happy to be able to extend a semblance of love and care. The funeral is going to be next Friday. Sarah and I are travelling next week. We were unsure if it was going to be this week or next. We are taking the appropriate days off work.
Other than that, I'm happy to have been able to see you today. I honestly can't believe you are almost here. It just seems like just around the corner. For Sarah and I, it will go like that. I can't wait to be with you, and to be able to talk to you as much as I want during the week, and to hear about your life. I'm grateful that you are out doing this. I will also be happy to have you home. I love you brother.
Honestly, it's been one of those weeks that when I look back, I can't really think of what had happened.
A nice thing, though, is we got to go to the Phoenix temple with the Youth to do baptisms. It was definitely very pretty there. It has never been a temple that has caught my eye, but, after this trip, I look forward to going back again, sometime. I was happy to attend with my beautiful wife. We try to go every week, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside these last couple of weeks. We HAVE wanted to go, but it isn't as easy as we would like it to be, even when we set aside time to go. It's easy to make excuses. We aren't perfect people.
Friday's date night was very fun. We had intended to go to a coworker named Aundreia's birthday party set aside by another coworker, Robin. She got sick an hour before the set time, and we didn't get the memo not to go. So, we instead went, and had a great time ourselves. We had pizza and wings and salad. It was super good. The rest of the night was fun.
In fact, we went to Barnes and Noble, because one of my friends (a student) by the name of Teresa is having a birthday this month and I said I would get her a present. I decided, after a lot of contemplation, to get her the Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy. I raved about it to Sarah so much, that I asked her if I could read it to her. She was very happy when I asked to share it with her, and now she's pretty hooked onto what is going to happen. We read it at B&N and in the car rides to the other places we went that night. :)
Like I said, I got called in Tuesday late night, to have a meeting with the Stake Presidency, and President Robinson extended the release to me of Branch Clerk. I'm not going to say that I won't miss it. In fact, it is really saddening to me, because I have really, really enjoyed serving as such. But I understand. I am really overburdened by both callings. And then piano or organ. A few callings is much better than several. I am happy to train and welcome the new brother into the secretary/clerk fold. I hope that serving with him will be great and strengthening to both him and us. I do love the brother that they are going to call. His name is Alex Juarez. He is married and has a girl and they are expecting a son. He's pretty busy providing for his family, so I know that if he accepts, it will be a sacrifice of much significance for him. I am praying for him.
Other than that, things are interesting with everything going on. This was teacher appreciation week, so the school catered Rubios on Friday (well, actually the student council did). It was good. Sarah and I also got a free chicken sandwich at Chik-fil-a on Tuesday. Much needed. Definitely counting down the days til we're out. I will miss the kids, but I will be relieved to have that off my plate. In fact, Sarah tells me that I am having very specific dreams about the kid's welfare. Of course, specifically Gavin (and Keenen). They are borderline nightmares. But not that scary. So much drama at work, that I am counting the days. 9 to be exact, but really six, cause Sarah and I are taking off several.
Well, brother, I love you. Pray for us, please.
Love,
John
