We'll post all about our adventures when we get back!
Love you!!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Quiet Week
Hi Family,
It's been a quiet week. A couple of our appointments fell through, and we had mostly meetings, so not much new to report. The weather is perfect as always, if a bit humid. Some of you saw the pictures of our trip to San Francisco on Monday. We wondered why the traffic was light and the parking lot where we went to see an art show was so empty. We found out pretty quick that a lot of things are closed on Mondays, probably because they have busy weekends. But seeing the Japanese garden and walking around Golden Gate Park was nice. We found a bakery that makes really good sandwiches (ALMOST as good as Kneaders) where we had dinner, and had a nice day.
We went out to a really good fish market restaurant that is local for Dad's birthday dinner. Dad had salmon and I had a fish I have never had before, rock fish. It was mild and nice. The next day we had zone training, and we had bought a cake and ice cream from Costco and shared them with the missionaries. They sang Happy Birthday to him. It was fun. The home we met at was amazing. The guy owned an airline and sold it, but remains as a CEO. They're worth zillions. They had a putting green in their back yard, plus the obligatory pool, etc. Very nice people. They talked to the missionaries about what an impact their missions have on their families, as they just had a son return from a mission. They encouraged them to write their experiences in detail every week, because it helped those at home to be a part of the mission experience. I hope that you all feel a part of ours as we blog. I know it really helps us to hear back from you each week.
We went to two firesides, one with a lady from Palestine, who is a member, and at first was the only member in Bethlehem, where she is from. She told how she would have to sneak through the city each Sunday to go to church, and how dangerous it was. It's still dangerous for Palestinians to live in Israel, but she has a very strong faith. She kind of got after us Americans for not appreciating our freedoms! And she's right, we really do take it for granted. She talked about forgiveness, and how she has been able to forgive the Israeli soldiers for the atrocities she has witnessed. Amazing woman.
Then last night we heard Elizabeth Smart speak. She, too, is amazing. She talked about the nine months she was held captive, and how she has been able to overcome all of that to move forward with her life. When they were still living in the camp above her home, they had to walk about a mile to a stream to get water. They ran out, but the kidnapper wouldn't let them go get water because they could hear the search party all around them. One night she woke up in the middle of the night, and didn't know what woken her. She found a yellow cup by her bed that was full of water. She looked at the milk jugs they used to keep water, and they were empty. As she drank, she felt the love of Heavenly Father. She never felt abandoned by Him. When she was finally found on the street in SLC nine months later, they handcuffed her and took her to a police station. She didn't know what was happening, and thought she was going to prison. But she thought, "anything will be better than how we have been living. At least I'll get 2 or 3 meals a day, and a real bed and a shower." She hadn't had a bath since she was taken. Then her dad walked in, and she knew she was safe.
Saturday was the Relay for Life, and we made luminaries for Grandpa Crockett, Carol and the Senior Missionary we work with who has cancer. It was a hot day, so we only walked for awhile in the relay, but it was good to see so much community support in the fight against cancer. We reflected on all the people we know who have battled that disease, and hope these types of fundraisers really are helping to win the war against it. Here we are with our luminary bags. Dad drew a Harley on Carol's, and Elder Layton was a forest ranger, so he drew one on his bag.
I can't find the picture! So I'll post this and then look for it.
It's been a quiet week. A couple of our appointments fell through, and we had mostly meetings, so not much new to report. The weather is perfect as always, if a bit humid. Some of you saw the pictures of our trip to San Francisco on Monday. We wondered why the traffic was light and the parking lot where we went to see an art show was so empty. We found out pretty quick that a lot of things are closed on Mondays, probably because they have busy weekends. But seeing the Japanese garden and walking around Golden Gate Park was nice. We found a bakery that makes really good sandwiches (ALMOST as good as Kneaders) where we had dinner, and had a nice day.
We went out to a really good fish market restaurant that is local for Dad's birthday dinner. Dad had salmon and I had a fish I have never had before, rock fish. It was mild and nice. The next day we had zone training, and we had bought a cake and ice cream from Costco and shared them with the missionaries. They sang Happy Birthday to him. It was fun. The home we met at was amazing. The guy owned an airline and sold it, but remains as a CEO. They're worth zillions. They had a putting green in their back yard, plus the obligatory pool, etc. Very nice people. They talked to the missionaries about what an impact their missions have on their families, as they just had a son return from a mission. They encouraged them to write their experiences in detail every week, because it helped those at home to be a part of the mission experience. I hope that you all feel a part of ours as we blog. I know it really helps us to hear back from you each week.
We went to two firesides, one with a lady from Palestine, who is a member, and at first was the only member in Bethlehem, where she is from. She told how she would have to sneak through the city each Sunday to go to church, and how dangerous it was. It's still dangerous for Palestinians to live in Israel, but she has a very strong faith. She kind of got after us Americans for not appreciating our freedoms! And she's right, we really do take it for granted. She talked about forgiveness, and how she has been able to forgive the Israeli soldiers for the atrocities she has witnessed. Amazing woman.
Then last night we heard Elizabeth Smart speak. She, too, is amazing. She talked about the nine months she was held captive, and how she has been able to overcome all of that to move forward with her life. When they were still living in the camp above her home, they had to walk about a mile to a stream to get water. They ran out, but the kidnapper wouldn't let them go get water because they could hear the search party all around them. One night she woke up in the middle of the night, and didn't know what woken her. She found a yellow cup by her bed that was full of water. She looked at the milk jugs they used to keep water, and they were empty. As she drank, she felt the love of Heavenly Father. She never felt abandoned by Him. When she was finally found on the street in SLC nine months later, they handcuffed her and took her to a police station. She didn't know what was happening, and thought she was going to prison. But she thought, "anything will be better than how we have been living. At least I'll get 2 or 3 meals a day, and a real bed and a shower." She hadn't had a bath since she was taken. Then her dad walked in, and she knew she was safe.
Saturday was the Relay for Life, and we made luminaries for Grandpa Crockett, Carol and the Senior Missionary we work with who has cancer. It was a hot day, so we only walked for awhile in the relay, but it was good to see so much community support in the fight against cancer. We reflected on all the people we know who have battled that disease, and hope these types of fundraisers really are helping to win the war against it. Here we are with our luminary bags. Dad drew a Harley on Carol's, and Elder Layton was a forest ranger, so he drew one on his bag.
I can't find the picture! So I'll post this and then look for it.
Here we are!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Trek
Sorry this has taken forever for me to get on here and write about trek.
So, the first day I had to get up at 4:00, to be at the stake center by 4:30. I had to wear my trek clothing to the stake center. When I had gotten there, they leaders had us wait for the other people to get there. I waited for about ten minutes. Just before we were about to leave I realized that I had forgotten a lunch. So, I borrowed one of the leaders phone and called mom to get a lunch. She got it to me just in time. We each got to pick something for breakfast. We could chose between muffins, or granola bars. They had some juice there as well. Then, we loaded onto the bus.
The bus drive was long. It took six hours to get up there. We went to Martins Cove.
When we got there, we ate lunch and then went on a mile hike without the handcarts. We walked up to Devils Gate. And then, we went back and got the handcarts and walked to the campgrounds. It was three mile from where we were.
When we got to camp we had to set up our own tents. They were really nice tents, they were actually brand new. After we put up our tents, we went and got our stuff from the handcarts and from the trailer. We had free time after that until dinner.
For dinner we had pulled pork sandwiches with watermelon.
After dinner we listened to a story about Ephriam's Rescue. Then we went and had family time. At family time we conbined with one other family. We played a get to know you game. We each got some skittles and then when my Pa chose a number and a color, whoever was closest to the number, Pa would ask you something you dream of doing. Then, you could eat all of that color. Then, we played a game were a rope was tied to two people's hands and you had to get the rope untangled but, you can't take the rope off your hands. They were all able to do it.
Then, it was time to go to bed, we all had ten minutes to get ready. But, most of the camp was still up past 10 which was lights out. That night, Brother Kidd's family played pranks on everybody. He did all sorts of things. He put rocks in people sleeping bag, he had his kids play bop-it in front off people's tents, and lots of other things.
In the morning, we got up and went to go get breakfast. We all had to do our chants. Our was, "We're the Beaver, we're the best dam builders in the West!" Whoevers was the best got to get breakfast first, we were number 3 but, whoever who was there first was first, we got there first. For breakfast we had sausage, eggs, and pancakes. They made a ton so we all got seconds.
Then, we all packed up to go on a 6 mile hike. We then went to the river. There we got to cross the river. I crossed it, the tide was really strong. Then, afterwards, most of us got chaving. We walked to a pavillion and had lunch, we got pb&j sandwiches, chip, beef jerky, a fruit, and a oatmeal creme cookie. After that we walked up to a apitheater and were told some stories about the Martin and Willie Handcart Comp. Then we walked up Martin's Cove and went to the top. Then, we sat there for a couple minutes. Before we left one of the Ma's passed out and so we had to take her kids back down for her.
When, we got back down we walked back to camp. On the way back down to camp there was a steep hill. That was where we did the womens pull. First, we started with some stories about some of the women who had hardships along the way. Then, we went and got the handcarts, the hill was covered in sand so it was quite hard. I had to push on the back of one cart. We got to the top the men were standing with there hats over there hearts. When all but one cart was remaining, all the girls went down and followed it up the hill singing, "Armies of Helamen" The men pulled the carts to the campgrounds from there.
When we got back to the campgrounds one the boys tent which was huge had blown about 10 feet from where it was originally. The wind was blowing really hard. We had some free time before dinner. Some of us were in our tents. The wind was blowing so hard that we had to take our tents down. And then, it starting hailing. We ran and went behind the bathrooms. One of the boys came over and said there was room in the trailers for us so we ran over there. After a few minutes the wind died down. We then got dinner out and we had stew. All the food was delicious.
Then, we did skits. The were all really funny. In ours we did a confession making thing, and it was about pranks, and we all said we were Brother Kidd and listed something he has done the passed day.
Then, we had a testimony meeting. Next, we had family time, we just talked until it was bedtime. Then, we went to sleep. In the morning, we got up and ate breakfast, we had breakfast borritos. Then we packed up and left for a 3 mile hike to where we were meeting the busses.
When we got there, we had to wait a little while for the busses. Then, we all got on and left. We stopped at a gas station because one of the busses broke down. We stayed there for about 20 minutes, then they decided to get as many people on the buses from the one that broke down on to the other ones. We went to the Sixth Crossing. We had lunch there and we played kick ball, while we waited for the bus to be fixed or another bus would come. That bus was 3 1/2 hours away. So, we waited, but about 1 1/2 hours passes and then the bus that broke down came fixed. We all got on and then it broke down again. We waited for a half hour, and then the leaders decided to let all the kids get on the bus and go and leave them there until the other bus came. But, there was extra seats, so the leaders got to come after all.
We were 5hours behind schedule. So, we got back at 11 instead of 6. When got there, I picked up my stuff and then mom picked me up and took me home. When I got home, I went straight to bed.
Love you guys all so much, and I miss you grandma and grandpa!!!! If you have any questions feel free to ask.
So, the first day I had to get up at 4:00, to be at the stake center by 4:30. I had to wear my trek clothing to the stake center. When I had gotten there, they leaders had us wait for the other people to get there. I waited for about ten minutes. Just before we were about to leave I realized that I had forgotten a lunch. So, I borrowed one of the leaders phone and called mom to get a lunch. She got it to me just in time. We each got to pick something for breakfast. We could chose between muffins, or granola bars. They had some juice there as well. Then, we loaded onto the bus.
The bus drive was long. It took six hours to get up there. We went to Martins Cove.
When we got there, we ate lunch and then went on a mile hike without the handcarts. We walked up to Devils Gate. And then, we went back and got the handcarts and walked to the campgrounds. It was three mile from where we were.
When we got to camp we had to set up our own tents. They were really nice tents, they were actually brand new. After we put up our tents, we went and got our stuff from the handcarts and from the trailer. We had free time after that until dinner.
For dinner we had pulled pork sandwiches with watermelon.
After dinner we listened to a story about Ephriam's Rescue. Then we went and had family time. At family time we conbined with one other family. We played a get to know you game. We each got some skittles and then when my Pa chose a number and a color, whoever was closest to the number, Pa would ask you something you dream of doing. Then, you could eat all of that color. Then, we played a game were a rope was tied to two people's hands and you had to get the rope untangled but, you can't take the rope off your hands. They were all able to do it.
Then, it was time to go to bed, we all had ten minutes to get ready. But, most of the camp was still up past 10 which was lights out. That night, Brother Kidd's family played pranks on everybody. He did all sorts of things. He put rocks in people sleeping bag, he had his kids play bop-it in front off people's tents, and lots of other things.
In the morning, we got up and went to go get breakfast. We all had to do our chants. Our was, "We're the Beaver, we're the best dam builders in the West!" Whoevers was the best got to get breakfast first, we were number 3 but, whoever who was there first was first, we got there first. For breakfast we had sausage, eggs, and pancakes. They made a ton so we all got seconds.
Then, we all packed up to go on a 6 mile hike. We then went to the river. There we got to cross the river. I crossed it, the tide was really strong. Then, afterwards, most of us got chaving. We walked to a pavillion and had lunch, we got pb&j sandwiches, chip, beef jerky, a fruit, and a oatmeal creme cookie. After that we walked up to a apitheater and were told some stories about the Martin and Willie Handcart Comp. Then we walked up Martin's Cove and went to the top. Then, we sat there for a couple minutes. Before we left one of the Ma's passed out and so we had to take her kids back down for her.
When, we got back down we walked back to camp. On the way back down to camp there was a steep hill. That was where we did the womens pull. First, we started with some stories about some of the women who had hardships along the way. Then, we went and got the handcarts, the hill was covered in sand so it was quite hard. I had to push on the back of one cart. We got to the top the men were standing with there hats over there hearts. When all but one cart was remaining, all the girls went down and followed it up the hill singing, "Armies of Helamen" The men pulled the carts to the campgrounds from there.
When we got back to the campgrounds one the boys tent which was huge had blown about 10 feet from where it was originally. The wind was blowing really hard. We had some free time before dinner. Some of us were in our tents. The wind was blowing so hard that we had to take our tents down. And then, it starting hailing. We ran and went behind the bathrooms. One of the boys came over and said there was room in the trailers for us so we ran over there. After a few minutes the wind died down. We then got dinner out and we had stew. All the food was delicious.
Then, we did skits. The were all really funny. In ours we did a confession making thing, and it was about pranks, and we all said we were Brother Kidd and listed something he has done the passed day.
Then, we had a testimony meeting. Next, we had family time, we just talked until it was bedtime. Then, we went to sleep. In the morning, we got up and ate breakfast, we had breakfast borritos. Then we packed up and left for a 3 mile hike to where we were meeting the busses.
When we got there, we had to wait a little while for the busses. Then, we all got on and left. We stopped at a gas station because one of the busses broke down. We stayed there for about 20 minutes, then they decided to get as many people on the buses from the one that broke down on to the other ones. We went to the Sixth Crossing. We had lunch there and we played kick ball, while we waited for the bus to be fixed or another bus would come. That bus was 3 1/2 hours away. So, we waited, but about 1 1/2 hours passes and then the bus that broke down came fixed. We all got on and then it broke down again. We waited for a half hour, and then the leaders decided to let all the kids get on the bus and go and leave them there until the other bus came. But, there was extra seats, so the leaders got to come after all.
We were 5hours behind schedule. So, we got back at 11 instead of 6. When got there, I picked up my stuff and then mom picked me up and took me home. When I got home, I went straight to bed.
Love you guys all so much, and I miss you grandma and grandpa!!!! If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Seth's ordination celebration
So we had Seth's ordination to the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday and then had a dinner after at our house. Kade was also ordained that day, so we invited EVERYBODY and it was chaotic and fun. For some reason, my iPhone camera is taking really fuzzy pictures lately, so I'm sorry that these are weird.
So there ya go. It was a fun day and not nearly as stressful as it usually is for me. I'm amazed at how much more I can handle lately. I even ate dinner with everyone. The strangers in these pictures are friends of Craig and Wendi whom they have known since high school. We have known them for a while too, but recently became better friends when we all went on our Christmas cruise. Anyway, they are really fun people and since they know both families, they came to both ordinations and the party after.
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| Craig, Lu and Alex making dorky faces. I swear I can't get a normal picture of Alex. Like ever. Oh and he got his hair cut last night so he doesn't look like like Shaggy any more. |
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| Jen, Brandon, Shalee, Chuck (new friend, long story) and Shawn. |
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| Jacqueline (Chuck's wife) and Wendi |
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| A Selfie. Or an Us-ee. Whatever. |
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| Awwwww! So cute! |
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| I LOVE THIS PICTURE |
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| The two weirdos who this party was for. |
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| Self explanatory |
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| Chillin' in the basement |
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| The teenagers doing what they do all. the. time. |
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| I love this picture too! I wish it wasn't fuzzy. |
Everything else in our life is crazy busy. Camping next weekend (just us! yikes!), classes, tests, more camping, more camping and more school. I'm nervous for fall. I will have four classes and I am seriously questioning my ability to handle it, even though I seem to be doing better with that. Part of me thinks I should take it slower. I don't know. I'm freaking out.
The end.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Guess I'm creating a new post
So blogger won't let me post something longer than 4,896 characters (or something like that), so here's my reply to your "Time is Flying" post, Mom.
DAD!!! Good job! I have been thinking a lot about quitting the D.C. It's sooooper hard! I just keep reading more and more things about how awful the aspartame is for us. Plus, I have to quit so I can see if my heart palpitations are from my mood stabilizer or D.C. Probably both. My doctor is going to titrate me off the medication and put me on something else. I guess it's bad or something to go through life with constant heart flutters. I'll try and titrate myself off diet coke too. That will work. Maybe.
Anyway! Things are VERY quiet here. The boys are gone to week-long Scout camp, Katie is rarely here, and Rob is leaving tomorrow for the camp. The ward needed drivers to get the boys up to camp yesterday, so I was able to take them up there and drop them off. It made me feel better about leaving them after I saw the camp and met their "camp buddy." She is a sweet heart, and I told her to put Caleb in charge of anything she needs help with. He's the oldest one there, and he will rise to any leadership occasion he is given. I see in him a "sleeping giant." He is going to be a great leader one day. His patriarchal blessing alluded to this as well. He is amazing.
Carson was trying not to be emotional as I was saying goodbye yesterday. I could tell he was going to have some homesickness. I'm going to write the boys a note and make some no-bake cookies and send them up there with Rob tomorrow. Carson will do a lot better when Rob gets there. He is taking the most fun merit badge classes. All having to do with water, guns, and sharp things, of course. He will have fun once he gets in to it. He brought his new knife to camp and was walking around with it on his belt loop like it was his lucky machete. He is such a funny kid.
Katie is doing OK on her new "time to grow up" plan. She has followed all the house rules so far, and now we are hoping she gets in gear with her diploma. She finally started talking to us again on Saturday. She wasn't very happy that we decided to quit coddling her (err…enabling her?). It will all be good. We hope.
Rob has been quite stressed lately. He has worked very hard to get organized with his new calling as Scoutmaster, so I think that is not as much of a contributor to his stress. His main source is his lazy associate, Dr. Luke, at the office. Rob is getting ready to cancel Luke's contract (aka fire him), so he is pretty sick about doing that. He hates letting someone go who has a family to take care of, but Dr. Luke's lackadaisical attitude and poor dental skills are harming the practice. Rob's reputation is suffering, and he has to do something. Rob has been talking with, and finally met, a dentist currently practicing in Idaho. This guy has been out of school for several years, and so he doesn't have as many skill and speed issues as a brand new dentist. Plus, he is SO personable and charismatic, just like Rob. Rob has interviewed him at least a dozen times. He's our guy, but Rob has to figure out (with Russ Blood, or whatever that expensive lawyer's name is) how to reasonably let Luke transition out. Rob wants to be fair, of course, and provide Luke with a severance package and a way to collect on treatment he's rendered. Russ Blood will help Rob make it fair for everybody. Lots of stress on Rob though. He HATES doing that stuff.
I am starting to freak out a little about school. There is SO MUCH TO DO. I only have three days to set up my classroom because of new teacher orientation. I have a feeling I'll be at the school some long hours to start out with. Then hopefully I can bring those long hours home with me and continue working my buns off here. I have spent a ton of time working on my classroom website. It's turning out so well, and I'm really excited about it!! I'll post a link when I'm ready to unveil it.
I'm trying to do stuff for school every day. Today I'll be shopping for recess equipment and setting up my science curriculum. I'm trying to align science, social studies, and language arts so it all correlates. It's hard, but the kids learn so much more when teachers do it that way. It's just a lot of work. My to-do list is extraordinarily long. This is what I signed up for though!
I hope Irma calls us this week. We would love to meet her and help her any way we can. I bought some choir CD's for her, just in case we meet her.
We (the Staley's) would love to come visit. I don't think we'd be able to this summer, BUT, we are thinking about the holidays. That would be fun, eh? Let's keep that mulling around in the back of our minds, and I'm sure we can make it happen. Mom, I'm sure you are just in heaven being able to go to the ocean as often as you have been. You guys may end up loving it so much out there you decide to move!
OK. Gotta go get ready. Lots of love to you both and to everyone!
DAD!!! Good job! I have been thinking a lot about quitting the D.C. It's sooooper hard! I just keep reading more and more things about how awful the aspartame is for us. Plus, I have to quit so I can see if my heart palpitations are from my mood stabilizer or D.C. Probably both. My doctor is going to titrate me off the medication and put me on something else. I guess it's bad or something to go through life with constant heart flutters. I'll try and titrate myself off diet coke too. That will work. Maybe.
Anyway! Things are VERY quiet here. The boys are gone to week-long Scout camp, Katie is rarely here, and Rob is leaving tomorrow for the camp. The ward needed drivers to get the boys up to camp yesterday, so I was able to take them up there and drop them off. It made me feel better about leaving them after I saw the camp and met their "camp buddy." She is a sweet heart, and I told her to put Caleb in charge of anything she needs help with. He's the oldest one there, and he will rise to any leadership occasion he is given. I see in him a "sleeping giant." He is going to be a great leader one day. His patriarchal blessing alluded to this as well. He is amazing.
Carson was trying not to be emotional as I was saying goodbye yesterday. I could tell he was going to have some homesickness. I'm going to write the boys a note and make some no-bake cookies and send them up there with Rob tomorrow. Carson will do a lot better when Rob gets there. He is taking the most fun merit badge classes. All having to do with water, guns, and sharp things, of course. He will have fun once he gets in to it. He brought his new knife to camp and was walking around with it on his belt loop like it was his lucky machete. He is such a funny kid.
Katie is doing OK on her new "time to grow up" plan. She has followed all the house rules so far, and now we are hoping she gets in gear with her diploma. She finally started talking to us again on Saturday. She wasn't very happy that we decided to quit coddling her (err…enabling her?). It will all be good. We hope.
Rob has been quite stressed lately. He has worked very hard to get organized with his new calling as Scoutmaster, so I think that is not as much of a contributor to his stress. His main source is his lazy associate, Dr. Luke, at the office. Rob is getting ready to cancel Luke's contract (aka fire him), so he is pretty sick about doing that. He hates letting someone go who has a family to take care of, but Dr. Luke's lackadaisical attitude and poor dental skills are harming the practice. Rob's reputation is suffering, and he has to do something. Rob has been talking with, and finally met, a dentist currently practicing in Idaho. This guy has been out of school for several years, and so he doesn't have as many skill and speed issues as a brand new dentist. Plus, he is SO personable and charismatic, just like Rob. Rob has interviewed him at least a dozen times. He's our guy, but Rob has to figure out (with Russ Blood, or whatever that expensive lawyer's name is) how to reasonably let Luke transition out. Rob wants to be fair, of course, and provide Luke with a severance package and a way to collect on treatment he's rendered. Russ Blood will help Rob make it fair for everybody. Lots of stress on Rob though. He HATES doing that stuff.
I am starting to freak out a little about school. There is SO MUCH TO DO. I only have three days to set up my classroom because of new teacher orientation. I have a feeling I'll be at the school some long hours to start out with. Then hopefully I can bring those long hours home with me and continue working my buns off here. I have spent a ton of time working on my classroom website. It's turning out so well, and I'm really excited about it!! I'll post a link when I'm ready to unveil it.
I'm trying to do stuff for school every day. Today I'll be shopping for recess equipment and setting up my science curriculum. I'm trying to align science, social studies, and language arts so it all correlates. It's hard, but the kids learn so much more when teachers do it that way. It's just a lot of work. My to-do list is extraordinarily long. This is what I signed up for though!
I hope Irma calls us this week. We would love to meet her and help her any way we can. I bought some choir CD's for her, just in case we meet her.
We (the Staley's) would love to come visit. I don't think we'd be able to this summer, BUT, we are thinking about the holidays. That would be fun, eh? Let's keep that mulling around in the back of our minds, and I'm sure we can make it happen. Mom, I'm sure you are just in heaven being able to go to the ocean as often as you have been. You guys may end up loving it so much out there you decide to move!
OK. Gotta go get ready. Lots of love to you both and to everyone!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Time is flying
We've been out 3 months, and can hardly believe it. We had an outgoing missionary devotional last night and one of the Elders said, "Don't blink, because it will be over before you know it." We feel like that is so true.
Saturday was the baptism of Irma, a recently divorced sister from Mexico, and her two teenage daughters, Elia and Sharon. We were with them Tuesday night, teaching about temples, when she made the decision to be baptized. It was very emotional. She has had a lot of opposition, so made a very brave decision. Her family is all in Mexico, and when she called them to tell them of her decision, they said never to call her again. And she still knew it was the right choice. She is very brave. Here they are with the sisters who taught them.
The fellow who baptized them is the one who introduced them to the church. She really has an amazing story. They are coming to Utah this week, and will be at the choir broadcast on Sunday. We hope she calls Amy and that they can meet and Rob can help answer some of her questions, as she understands so much better speaking Spanish.
We had a good 4th. The Young Singles had a party at the Calls, and there were over 300 who came. Talk about chaos! They are so full of energy! Everyone had a great time. It sounded like we were in the middle of the London Blitz that night at our apartment, but we somehow managed to get to sleep about midnight. They are just as crazy here about fireworks as they are in Utah, but you don't see firework stands on every corner. I don't know where they get them.
Last week we went over to Half Moon Bay. It is my favorite beach so far. It wasn't too crowded, and they have lots of nice beach paths. We sat and watched the waves for awhile and ate lunch. Got sunburned! We visited a Lighthouse, and saw some sea lions. The whale migration had just ended, but we will go back in the fall and hope to see some then. Thousands pass by there. It's called Pigeon Point Lighthouse. It's one of the tallest ones on the Pacific coast.
A senior couple we know wants to go to a different beach or place of interest every other Monday. We are planning on going up to San Francisco this next week and seeing some art galleries. Dad has started sketching some of the sites. Yay! He does such nice work.
It sure would be nice to have some visits this summer. We could go together to some of these places. Most are just an hour or two away, and would make great day trips. We know you are all very busy, but hope you'll think about it!
We also took in a movie on Saturday night; "Maleficent". It was very good. Angela Jolie was great. We enjoyed ourselves, in spite of the incredibly noisy people next to us! They have senior day on Mondays. We'll try to stick to that day next time, and wait until school is back in session. Sounds like we don't have much time for missionary work, huh?!
We are really enjoying our mission. We are incredibly tired every night and sleep really well. One more item of interest. One lady we are working with is trying to give up coffee, so Dad made a pact with her that he would give up Diet Coke. So it has been a week, and he is doing pretty good. He "relapsed" yesterday, but I think he is still pretty committed to it.
Hope to hear from everyone this week. I tried to invite the grandkids to blog, but don't think it worked. I'll try again soon.
Have a wonderful week! We love and miss you all.
Saturday was the baptism of Irma, a recently divorced sister from Mexico, and her two teenage daughters, Elia and Sharon. We were with them Tuesday night, teaching about temples, when she made the decision to be baptized. It was very emotional. She has had a lot of opposition, so made a very brave decision. Her family is all in Mexico, and when she called them to tell them of her decision, they said never to call her again. And she still knew it was the right choice. She is very brave. Here they are with the sisters who taught them.
The fellow who baptized them is the one who introduced them to the church. She really has an amazing story. They are coming to Utah this week, and will be at the choir broadcast on Sunday. We hope she calls Amy and that they can meet and Rob can help answer some of her questions, as she understands so much better speaking Spanish.
We had a good 4th. The Young Singles had a party at the Calls, and there were over 300 who came. Talk about chaos! They are so full of energy! Everyone had a great time. It sounded like we were in the middle of the London Blitz that night at our apartment, but we somehow managed to get to sleep about midnight. They are just as crazy here about fireworks as they are in Utah, but you don't see firework stands on every corner. I don't know where they get them.
Last week we went over to Half Moon Bay. It is my favorite beach so far. It wasn't too crowded, and they have lots of nice beach paths. We sat and watched the waves for awhile and ate lunch. Got sunburned! We visited a Lighthouse, and saw some sea lions. The whale migration had just ended, but we will go back in the fall and hope to see some then. Thousands pass by there. It's called Pigeon Point Lighthouse. It's one of the tallest ones on the Pacific coast.
A senior couple we know wants to go to a different beach or place of interest every other Monday. We are planning on going up to San Francisco this next week and seeing some art galleries. Dad has started sketching some of the sites. Yay! He does such nice work.
It sure would be nice to have some visits this summer. We could go together to some of these places. Most are just an hour or two away, and would make great day trips. We know you are all very busy, but hope you'll think about it!
We also took in a movie on Saturday night; "Maleficent". It was very good. Angela Jolie was great. We enjoyed ourselves, in spite of the incredibly noisy people next to us! They have senior day on Mondays. We'll try to stick to that day next time, and wait until school is back in session. Sounds like we don't have much time for missionary work, huh?!
We are really enjoying our mission. We are incredibly tired every night and sleep really well. One more item of interest. One lady we are working with is trying to give up coffee, so Dad made a pact with her that he would give up Diet Coke. So it has been a week, and he is doing pretty good. He "relapsed" yesterday, but I think he is still pretty committed to it.
Hope to hear from everyone this week. I tried to invite the grandkids to blog, but don't think it worked. I'll try again soon.
Have a wonderful week! We love and miss you all.
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