No mail. Eldrew story, instead.

No mail from Edrew this week. We think it is transfer week. That means that Eldrew will be busy assisting with the arrival of new missionaires, the departure of missionaries going home, transfers around the mission, and training.

So, in place of a weekly update, we'll share a nostalgia moment about Eldrew.

Two days ago, Eldrew's dad drove past the Centerville City Founder's Park. They were just about to kick off the annual lighting ceremony for the city's holiday celebration. The trees in the park are festooned with tens of thousands of lights along with other holiday decorations. On the first Monday of December the lights are turned on, there is a concert, Santa arrives, and there is plenty of hot chocolate to go around.

A large Santa's chair was sitting in the center of the large stage on the center pavilion. It's a beautiful chair. I know; because building the chair was Eldrew's Eagle Scout project.

The LDS Church is big...BIG...into scouting. It is a great program for teaching morals and values...and keeping idle little teenage boy's hands busy doing helpful stuff. The Eagle award is scouting's highest award. Eldrew was never that much into scouting. However, with great leaders in our congregation, Eldrew was three months shy of 18 (the cut off date) for earning his Eagle and and only had his Eagle Service Project left to do. His Mom was determined that Eldrew would get earn his award and we all got Eldrew focused on the one final mountain to climb. Eldrew chose to create a Santa Chair for the City of Centerville.


Fred and Andrew




















With the help of Fred Beesley, Eldrew refurbished an old chair into a HUGE red velvet Santa chair and presented it to the city. Fred was wonderful and guided Eldrew through the process. He is an expert upolsterer. They stripped down the chair, did the carpentry to make the chair bigger and taller, and (with a LOT of help from Fred) added the red velvet finish. The end result is quite impressive.


The official Centerville City Santa Chair





















It was great to see The Chair. It is annual reminder of the experience...and brings back a wave of nostagia for the project and thoughts of Eldrew. We miss him a lot when we see things like the chair or other things that bring him to mind. We are, however, very proud and excited about his mission.

If we do get a late letter this week...we'll report. Just 17 days until Christmas when we get to talk to him!