Christmas phone calls!!!

Our Christmas phone calls were terrific.  We thought that Elder Park would call at 10 am, and rushed home from my moms to be here for it.  He didn't call that early but Hermana Park called a half hour early.  We didn't plan questions a head of time, but just let it be spontaneous. We put her on speaker phone and at the last minute I grabbed an old micro cassette recorder.  She had us on speaker phone too.  So, it was a big party, with me and my hubby, the kids older brother and younger sister, and her companion.  We never ran out of things to say, and got to talk to sweet Hermana Benavides too. Destinee read us the words to a Christmas song in Kaqchikel.

Elder Park tried calling when we were on the phone with Destinee, and had to call back later.  We used the same set up--tape recorder, speaker phone, all of us and he was also on speaker phone.  We got to talk to his companion, Elder Torres also!  And then they sang a Christmas song for us.  It was so sweet and so filled with the Spirit.

Both of my kids had tamales for Christmas Eve and Christmas and also went Caroling that night.  Yesterday we got pictures of their Christmas festivities in the emails.  It was a wonderful Christmas, and not at all like I was worried about.

Were doing all of this......twice :)

TEN REASONS WHY A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS IS DIFFERENT

-Written by Missionary Mom Sally Tielemans of Henderson, Nevada

1. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.

2. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

3. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.

4. Last Christmas we were wrapping gifts; this Christmas we are wrapped up in the work.

5. Last Christmas we looked into people's eyes when we spoke; this Christmas we look into their hearts.

6. Last Christmas we prayed to obtain a testimony; this Christmas we pray to share our testimony with others.

7. Last Christmas we were impatient with the weaknesses of others; this Christmas we are working on our own.

8. Last Christmas we read the scriptures as a duty; this Christmas we read them as a joy.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we are finding ways to consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas, Guatemala and California were just places on a map; this Christmas, they are places in our hearts.

getting in the Christmas shopping spirit

Don't get me wrong.  I have no problem getting into the Christmas Spirit.  What I am having trouble with this year is shopping for Christmas.  First of all, I hate shopping.  Second, two of my kids will not be here for Christmas.  Yeah, yeah, I know that I am blessed, that I have been given the best gift, and that other mothers wished that they could have two missionaries, BUT, that doesn't stop me from being sad.  I am sad in the stores.  I try to find stuff to send Kade in his box, and find myself tearing up and not accomplishing anything.  I just went through this a couple of weeks ago trying to get Destinee's box sent off to Guatemala.  Why is it so easy to be sad and yet happy at the same time?

Missionary Stories.......from other's

I hear a lot of missionary stories through other moms.  I thought it would be fun to share a few of them here since this is my Missionary Mom blog.

From Collette: "

I had a cool experience yesterday that I wanted to share with all of you.  My oldest son served his mission in New york and one of the sisters he taught and baptized there about 10 years ago (who now lives in Provo) just returned from a mission to Tonga.  We were able to go to her homecoming yesterday and see the full circle of her conversion and my son's mission service.  You never know how far reaching their service will go.  She talked about missions being a university and how much knowledge is gained, and the testing and growth that occurs.  She is so grateful for my son's mission service.  It changed her life!.  It was awesome to see and talk with her and to hear her testimony."

From and elder in the North mission:

We came to church early in the morning to set up. While there, an 18 year old, ***** told me to come with him to go get a sister in the ward. We took off and one mile later, I found myself in the home of a very, very old member who could no longer move much of anything anymore.
***** told me it was our job to get her all the way to the church. He left the house for a second and returned with a tiny, half-broken wheelbarrow.
"We always use this," he said and I could not protest because there was nothing else around that I could use. So we placed her in the rickety wheelbarrow and off we went.
Of course I got stuck as the one who pushed because ***** told me I was the strong one and needed to.
The problem is, the path to the church is REALLY rocky. So there was no way to avoid the crashing bumps and jerks that came. So here I am pushing a 90+ year old lady in a wheelbarrow down a rocky mile-long road.
I felt so strange. She kept saying something and I asked ***** to translate so I could help her. (He speaks Spanish and Ke'kchi). He just kept saying, "She's gonna die!" Joking I assume, but who knew....
All the way the people on the path saw me and were just laughing their heads off.
Finally we made it to the church and unloaded her onto a chair. Suddenly she burst into tears and started shouting something. "UH OH" was my first reaction.
I asked the branch president to translate. He told me she was just exclaiming how happy she was to be at church.

And here is a funny one that still has me laughing:

"Last night I was waiting to call in the numbers for the work week. While I was waiting for my leaders to call me. (Take note that I cannot call from my house and I hike about an hour away to find signal.) So while I was waiting I go to call another Elder to ask him a question. Anyway a Sister missionary answers the phone. I was a little confused and for some reason only talked to her in Spanish. (it was very clear she was a North American missionary). She starts going crazy and tells me she didn't understand. I tried to talk to her again in English but for some reason I couldn't. So she goes to get her companion. I was shocked to all of the sudden be talking to a man. I was thinking what the heck is an Elder doing with a Sister. Anyway so I start to talk to this other Elder and he yells at me. "Elder Briggs you speak English, speak to me in English!"

Then he asks me why I was calling his wife. I was starting to get really confused. Then he tells me "Elder Briggs I am your mission president." I was certain it was some Elder playing a stupid joke on me. So I tell the Elder (man) that he isn't. Then he starts to freak out and worry about me. "Elder Briggs, how are you doing? Are you feeling alright?" He asked me over and over.  This went on for about 5 minutes. Both of us really confused and not sure what was going on. Finally I ask him..."Wait...so are you like a senor couple or something." he clearly upset now tells me again. "Elder I AM YOUR MISSION PRESIDENT!" Finally after a few seconds of silence and thinking who it could be all I say is. "I'm in the North mission" He started to lighten up a little and told me he was the Central mission president. I guess it turns out that there is an Elder Briggs serving there too. Anyway! I thought it was pretty funny. It has to go in the books for one of the best misdialed numbers ever!!"

tears fall on my pillow......

Okay, get over it.  I am feeling sorry for my self or something this morning.  I am really missing my kids.  It has been 5 months ago today that we dropped both of them off at the MTC.  In some ways it feels like forever and some ways i think 5 months went by fast.

So what does a parent do while their kids are on missions?  Well, I plan to do a lot of things, like scrapbook all their pictures, catch up on or start their life scrapbooks, paint and redecorate their rooms, take classes, etc.  However, reality sets in and life slaps us in the face.  Yeah, real life is full of plans not quite working out as we thought they would.

Well,  still have 13 months until Destinee gets home and 19 until Kade gets home................

" We have to learn to be faithful in the dark" ~~Brigham Young

Tough couple of weeks......
The past week or so has really tried my faith.  I had no idea I could get so low.  My husband had surgery and although the surgery did go well, the recovery has not.  He has had major reactions to the pain medications, the blood thinners, and even the anesthesia was hard to knock out of his system.  It has been a "dark" time and without a testimony, I would not have survived.

Sometimes we take our testimonies for granted.  Kade's email this past week told of a family he has been working with who have such strong faith, despite getting kicked in the teeth over and over.  They are truly an example.  He said, "A couple months ago ****, before he was baptized got in a fight in the chapel, one of the member kids got him in a choke hold, and **** passed out.  He could of died, the police and ambulance came too.  His parents knew about this, but they forgave, and now they are joining this church, hopefully next week. We picked out the baptism clothing, planned the baptism, they are planning their wedding.  maybe next Sunday will be the big day."  I am hoping and praying that this sweet family gets the blessings they deserve.

Last week a similar situation happened to someone I don't know.  It happened between missionaries.  I don't know the whole story, and it doesn't really matter, but an incident happened where one missionary was choked by another.  No disciplinary action was taken as far as I know, so it could have been rough housing or it could have been deliberate, but that doesn't matter either.  What matters is that the family of the missionary victim was not willing to forgive.  In fact, they were on the warpath.  It really made me realize how much forgiveness is an essential part of the plan of Salvation.  How can we face the Master, if we are not willing to truly forgive?  He forgives us every second of every day.

As I enter into conference weekend, I hope to focus on improvement.  Going through these past few days of trials opened up some character flaws in myself that I wasn't too pleased to discover.  Another aspect of the Atonement is our gift of making mistakes and making things right.  Thank goodness for that! 

Edward Cullen vs Captain Moroni?

I was reading over the missionary blogs I follow this morning and came across some deep thought by one missionary serving in Guatemala.  He wondered what was wrong with Mormon girls, all caught up in the Edward Cullen hype.  He had overheard two girls, possibly his sisters, wondering why a guy can't be more like Edward (from the Twilight series).  He listed his four reasons, that he is "a cold sick Vampire", that he isn't LDS, that he wasn't real, and then said "do I even need a number 4?  Why don't girls just go read the Book of Mormon?  They can read about REAL guys that are awesome.."  He went on to compare Edward and Captain Moroni.  He wondered who would win a fight between the two.

This all made me start thinking about the girls in Mormonville, or the Mormon Happy Valley, Utah Valley.  Why do girls think for a moment that they don't deserve the best?  When I taught Young Women's we had numerous lessons on the girls being of royal birth, of being worth something.  Why then do they not get it?  Why is the bad boy so attractive?  Why is the "popular crowd" so sought after when they are not living the standards of the Gospel?  My daughter tells me a lot about what the members of the Church are doing at school, and it really makes me feel bad for them.  I wonder why they can act the way they do when they have been given such a gift?  And I wonder sometimes if the parents are clueless or if they just don't know how to handle it.  We need to be very careful who our kids are hanging out with, and yet we have to give them agency also.  It is tough being a parent, especially with make believe families like the Cullens out there, and books and movies written by an LDS author that are really not what the Lord or the Prophet would want our kids reading.

Guess, I better go read my Book of Mormon.  My daughter is looking to me to be her example, not the Cullens.

D034D585-5259-E93B-CCEB-BD7D4C1EB62B

1.02.28

Am I willing to Sacrifice?

I have been thinking a lot lately about sacrifices, trials, and strength.  Why can one person have a trial, and they never see it as a trial?  What makes that person so strong?  Take for instance my daughter.  She has dealt with a trial for a few years, but she has never seen it as a burden.  She has always been thankful that she has not had a worse medical affliction.  She was even told she would be limited where she would be able to serve a mission, and yet the Lord sent her to Guatemala.  I think He sent her there because He knew her and knew that she could handle less than ideal situations.  She had already proved that to Him.  I really admire her strength.

I wonder, would I be able to overcome my physical limitations, or work through the pain, or have the strength?  I doubt it.  My hope would be that I could push past my own selfishness and learn to serve others.  I have decided to make some new goals.  I am not sure what they will be, but I know the direction I want to go with this.  I want to become a person who can overcome, who can serve without selfish thoughts, and who can learn to NOT give myself limits

Maybe I should pay attention to comments left on blogs???

This morning I was fine tuning my kids blogs and found a comment on Kade's blog that upset me.  Kade had a kid in his district in the MTC that went home early.  They worked so hard with this Elder, and even fasted many days for him.They were all so devastated when he went home.  It was just a couple of weeks before they were to go out into the field..

The mom of the boy posted a comment on Kade's blog saying that if her son had had better companions he wouldn't have gone home.  Now I understand that she is upset that her son came home, but it was harsh--very harsh.  It is not up to other 19 year old boys to keep another boy their age on a mission.  A mission is not for everyone.  I wish I could get a hold of the mom privately, but she has made her identity unavailable or something.  I don't think she needed to lash out at me or my son, or any of the other boys for that matter.

So who is strong enough for a mission?  Those whom the Lord chooses.  We all have baggage.  We all have gone through trials.  Some are just at a place where they have dealt with it and moved on.  Sure it is harder for some.  And for others it seems easy.  It is my belief that even those who seem to have it easy, really don't.  They just learn to make it seem easy.  Being in tune with the Lord helps.  Sometimes that is a real struggle.  Real life bogs us down with insecurities, trials, distractions, excuses.  We need to rely on Him.

I can never figure out why coming home from a mission early for medical or emotional reasons is a big deal.  And yet people make it a big deal, both the family of the one that returned, and the people around them.  It is not failure, nor is it failure to not go on a mission.  It is failure to not live up to the Gospel standards, and last time I looked leaving a mission early or not going on a mission did not necessarily go hand in hand with unworthiness.  Really good guys have not served missions, my husband included.  I hope we can all learn to be a bit more understanding.  Sure a mission is one of the greatest things a person can do, but we can all still be great if we want to.

thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.......

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8)

Most people that know me don't know that I have suffered with a certain affliction for a few years.  It is called Fibromyalgia, and is a common condition characterized by long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety.  Mine probably began 15 years ago after the birth of my last child, but I was told over and over that I was "just tired".  It took a female doctor to finally diagnose me with something more than just being tired.  Of course, she actually listened--go figure.

 Most of the time I do okay with it, but there are times when I have an episode.  I literally hurt, no matter what.  It is those days when I wonder what I am doing and why.  Most of the time I have no problem doing an hour on my treadmill, but give me an episode, and I am in pain when I walk to the car.

This past week I have had an episode.  It really began on my birthday when I drank a Diet Coke.  Yep, that triggers it.  I have been almost Diet Coke, and soda free for almost 2 years.  In those 2 years, I have had hardly any pain associated with my Fibro.  It still happens once in awhile, but I have dramatically cut down on episodes. 

The scripture above helps to remind me that I can do it--I can endure this pain.  And things can always be worse.  Mine is such a minor affliction.  Positive attitude always helps too.  The more I feel sorry for myself, the more I feel the pain.  The more I focus on someone else, the less pain felt.  I think that may be a lesson the Savior was trying to teach us--focus on others, and not ourselves.

I am still feeling weepy when I think of Destinee and Kade being gone.  I can't wait for school to get back in session so I can go to the Temple again.  I really think it renews the Spirit.  I love going in the late mornings when things aren't overly busy, and I am not in a hurry to get back home.  I enjoyed that time with Destinee so much, especially the day we did work for Grandma and Aunt Geri.  What a special day that was!

quiet time

It is amazing how you hope for something, and then you get it, and you don't want it any more.  For a couple of weeks I have been hoping for just a little bit of down time.  I really really needed it.  Well guess what, I got it and it is too dang quiet!!! 

 It has been fun keeping up with Destinee and Kade's missions.  I feel really overwhelmed, but it is so fun to share in the adventure.  And I love being in spiritual mode.  Lately a lot has happened that might make some question their beliefs but for me it has strengthened them.  I have someone targeting my beliefs.  I got a bit snappy about it one day and my daughter calmed me down and stopped me from being a total poop.  I admire my daughter so much.  She doesn't know that she actually knows more than me, and that is impressive given that she is only 15.  Sure I have lived longer, and have more book knowledge, and some more life knowledge, but she surpasses me in spiritual knowledge.  Wow, what would it have been like to have that at 15?

I know a girl who is thinking about a mission.  I know she wants to get married.  I wonder if there will be a time when young ladies are actually encouraged to go on missions instead of just waiting around to get married?  A mission is such a life building experience and if they learn to serve as a missionary does, they will be much better wives and mothers.  I hope this young lady continues to fill out her papers, and does serve a mission.  The right guy will be here when she gets home.  I am proud of Destinee for making that decision.  She knew it was the right thing to do.  I sure wish I had had the opportunity.

blah, blah, blah

I was expecting a letter from Kade today.  I have gotten a hand written one from him every week since he went in the MTC except for the weeks we were in Oregon, and then I told him not to.  I guess I need to learn to not expect it since he will be going to California on the 27th and will be busy sharing the Gospel.  BUT, I was hoping.

This week I have been missing Destinee and Kade more.  I don't know why.  I ate mushrooms and thought of Destinee.  I heard Kade say something, but it wasn't him.  I sometimes feel sad, just because, and then I realize that half of my kids are not accessible by phone or texting.  I have to remind myself that this is where I want them, and that I could not have had better kids.  Where else would I want them? 

And so........I look forward to tomorrow, for Church, for spiritual renewal.

The beautiful Oregon Coast

Every once in awhile we just have to get away.  One of our favorite places is the Oregon coast.  This year it was just Kiana and Ty that were able to go with us, since Destinee and Kade are on missions.  We usually like to follow the Columbia River and this time was no exception.  along the Columbia River we stopped at a rest area.  From it you could see an Island, Memaloose, Island of the Dead.  the Indian Peoples of the Columbia River placed their dead in cedar vaults on this Island.

Our next stop was Fort Stevens, where we visited the remains of the shipwreck, the Peter Iredale. It was  an English sailing ship that ran aground during a storm in 1906.

The 800 Club

Today I stopped by the UPS store to drop off a package for Kade.  He has been sick, and also needed a few things like more athletic socks, his Spanish dictionary, and more cough medicine.  I only paid 3 dollars for two packages totaling more than 8 lbs.  Pretty good.  If I had kept them under 4 lbs, it would have been free, but we kind of threw in some treats.

The gentleman at the store and I were chatting, and I mentioned that I had a daughter in the Guatemala MTC also (too bad a package there isn't cheap).  He said, "Oh, you are a member of the 800 club."  I was like, what????  He then proceeded to tell me that, copying the Christian 700 club, LDS parents that have 2 children serving are in the 800 club.  Get it?  We pay 800 dollars a month--lol.  Well, every penny is worth it!  And a lot of parents mention that in the end it is cheaper than having them home.  I don't know about that, but we do have less people in the house.  We will see if the bills go down.

One thing that I am struggling with is learning how to cook for 4, soon to be 3.  I make way too much food.  Kade ate a lot I guess.  And he never gained weight!

Another thing that has changed is that we got a dog.  I wasn't sure we wanted one, but apparently the majority of the "we" did.  He is a cutie, and he is fun, but puppies are a lot of work!

Emails from my missionaries is always good

Yeah, it is P-day for my kids.  It is always fun to hear from them but I wish they had longer to write.  It never seems like I am getting all of the information I want to hear.  I keep thinking, "where are the details".  And then for some reason, something tells me there really are no details.  They go to classes, have companion study, self study, meals, etc.  Maybe it will be better when they get out in the field.  Until then, I am glad I still have my album with every single one of Tyler's letters home when he was on his mission.  It is kind of fun to go back and read them after so many years.  Okay 4 years, well almost.

Anyway, both kids are doing great, are very happy, and that is all I can ask for.

Email from my kids, well kind of.....

After the longest week of my life, I finally received email from Destinee and Kade.  For those that don't already know, the 1st week of your kids in the MTC is the LONGEST--for the parents.  We hope, we pray, we miss them terribly.  You wait every day for that first letter or email, that will tell you when their P-days will be so you can at least schedule your wait time.  When it finally comes, you feel like it is the most glorious Christmas ever.

Destinee's email came at around 1 pm, just before my daughter and I got home from the movies.  We were so excited.  Destinee went into detail, as much as she had time for, and said she was sending a snail mail home.  We found out about her companions, how she is eating, and how many times she has seen her brother, her trip to the Temple.  She mentioned that she had very little time to write, and yet she managed to say a lot.

On the other hand, Kade's email came around 11 am, again while we were gone, and his included a response to my email asking if he needed anything, and a response to an email I sent asking for his passwords.Wow, the difference between boys and girls is obvious here.  Boys, your moms need a little bit more information!

So, hearing that a snail mail will be coming from Destinee, and HOPING one will be coming from Kade, I will be anticipating mail today.  I guess my mailman is used to my reactions, since he did witness and hand deliver their calls........

Missing my kids

I was so blessed to be at peace last Wednesday.  I had prayed for it.  I didn't not want to cry, or leave the MTC in a bawling fit, and I didn't.  I was fine...until Thursday.  Thursday I was alone most of the day. It was then that it hit me.  I tried to keep busy, looking all over for a sister missionary countdown, switching beds in Destinee and Kiana's rooms, and catching up on housework.  I miss my kids.  I really miss them.  I know they are happy, and I am rereading Tyler's letters to reassure me.  And that has been good.

Oh yeah, we started the puzzle tradition.  When Tyler left on his mission we set up a table and did jigsaw puzzles while he was gone.  Last night we set up the puzzle in Destinee's room.  We are doing Temple Square at Chistmas.  I don't know why we started this, but I think it helps to be in their room and do something where you can think.  Our rule is that only spiritual music or talks can be listened to in there.  Hmmm, I feel like working on the puzzle.....

Going to the Temple.........

Part of the missionary experience is going to the Temple before you leave.  It is a wonderful experience, where you get to be at your son or daughter's side and actually learn from the beginning all over again.  I learned a lot.  I learned that I need to go more often.  I learned that thinking about two kids going through for their first time can throw our train of thought out the window........I learned that my kids are definitely spiritually ready.

It was nice spending the day with Destinee and Kade.  This past week it has hit me pretty hard that they will both be gone and that I will miss them terribly.  Yes, I know I am blessed beyond measure, and that a lot of parents wish they had one kid going on a mission.  Having two going is really a blessing.  It is just hard for moms to let go......

time flies

Wow, we really don't have much time to prepare these two missionaries! I just returned from a 1 1/2 week trip to the Netherlands and now it is time to get busy. I need to sew a skirt or two, do a LOT more shopping for Destinee, and we get to go to the Temple soon. I finally found my first Temple dress and it fits Destinee, and she really likes it--yeah! Drue found a pair of Temple pants for Kade and so we are on our way!

A lot of emotions are stirring up inside me today. I am suffering from jet lag, and really realizing the changes happening in our lives. Not only are we sending two missionaries, but our oldest is planning on moving out after graduating and going on to Graduate School. He accepted BYU's offer so he won't be far, but he won't be here either. It will be a big change for our family, but I am so proud of the choices my kids are all making!

Preparing for the missions, and the calls

Many people have made comments to me lately, saying "you will be twice as blessed".  So, when I started this blog, it became the natural title. I think we are blessed many times over. So far, 3 of our 4 children have served or are called to serve, missions for the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. The last child is not quite 15 so that is a story yet to come.

Destinee and Kade didn't really plan on turning in their mission papers at the same time. It just happened that way. Both are attending school and planned to submit papers around their birthdays and put down an eligibility date of sometime around the 1st of May. As they made appointments with the Bishop and filled out papers, it became apparent that the timing would coincide. Destinee had most of her paperwork filled out and Kade got to use her information as a "cheat sheet". They ended up finishing it at the same time, with each others help. However, Kade still had to have his Wisdom teeth removed. So it looked like Destinee would be turning them in first.

Kade's wisdom teeth removal was scheduled, but we thought he had to have them actually removed before submitting the papers. We finally realized that they just needed to be scheduled. So he made his visit to the Bishop also, and they just had to wait for the Stake President to call them. Meanwhile, a little bit of teasing  was going on around the ward about them being in a race, and speculation on who would win.

The Secretary for the Stake finally called. Destinee was at work, so Kade's appointment was made for 9:00pm the following Tuesday. Destinee called back the next morning and was given an appointment time of 8:40 pm. The Stake President told them he would fill out his part and then submit them. And so we waited.........

Two weeks later, on March 3rd, we anxiously waited for the mailman, not knowing for sure that the calls would come, but hoping. The mailman did not come until 4 pm! We watched him fill the mailboxes and he got back in his vehicle, then returned to the mailboxes. He then came to the door and hand delivered the calls! He was beaming as he said, "I have two mission calls here". Of course, being the calm and cool mom that I am, I screamed! He was almost as excited as we were!

We had to wait for another 3 hours for them to open their calls, since they were working. Destinee opened her's first, receiving a call to the Guatemala City Central Mission, and Kade received his call to the Anaheim, California Spanish Speaking mission. Both are leaving on May 26th! Our family is very excited to have two missionaries in the field, and really feel that saying that we are twice as blessed is putting it mildly.

Why am I twice as blessed?

A couple of years ago it became apparent that both my son and daughter would be serving missions at the same time. Both of them had been planning on serving since they were small, but you never can know how things were going ot turn out.