Off to the Mission Training Center

Once upon a time, a very long time go a little gray wooden lamb appeared in my life. I honestly can't remember how she came to be, but I vaguely recall Katie receiving her in a Young Women's activity with a reminder, "Ewe are Special". Fast forward the turbulent teenage years and "Lambie" disappeared and was forgotten. Then suddenly one day she reappeared and the game was on! For the past couple of years Katie and I have made it a practice of secretly passing Lambie back and forth from one house to another. Lambie has been mailed, hidden in drawers even secured in tasty treats.

Long story short, it has now become a family affair with Steve as well as Lucas, Mason and Jill taking part. So we decided what better way to detail our travels than by including Lambie on our adventure...

 

Day One-leaving from our home sweet home in Sacramento

 

 

 

                                                                 through Nevada..........

 

 

passing through Oregon.........

 

 arriving 10 hours later in Meridian, Idaho.

 

 

 

 

We spent 4 wonderful days with our daughter Andi, husband Brian and grandson's Dax, Cale and Jett. We even found time to enjoy a delicious dinner and play catch up with friend's Dave and Janie . We celebrated Brian's birthday at Red Robin's, picked out light fixtures for Andi's newly painted house, played on the Wii and rode quad's (much to Dax's delight :))

 

 

 

                                   But soon it was time to hit the road again.  So after Church we met briefly with our BFF's Dave and Janie for a quick hug and a good bye and off we went.

 

 

 

 Sunday, March 3, 2013 we arrived in Orem, Utah and spent the night with cousins, Greg and Jan prior to reporting to the Mission Training Center. To our surprise we actually had the opportunity to visit with even more Utah cousins, Sandy and Bruce and Eddie and Mary. It was so unexpected I honestly forgot to pull out my camera and record this Kodak moment, sorry.

 

 

March 4, 2013

Mission Training Center (MTC)

Provo, Utah

 

Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

 

Orlando, Florida by March 20th!

 

Just a brief overview of our first day at the MTC. The weather was a crisp 36 degrees this morning with patches of snow on the ground. We were actually told by the natives here that today was one of their warmer days, brrr!

 

 

There are approximately 78 people in our group. 14 couples have been assigned to serve in temples across the globe. Washington, D.C, Mexico, Canada, London, the Philippines and Japan. 7 other couples and two single, senior sisters were called to serve as family history record preservationists. Two couples were called to serve at Church historical sites, the Independence, Missouri and Wyoming Handcart Mission. One couple from Idaho has been called to teach farming to the Navajo Indians on a reservation in New Mexico. The remaining couples, including us, have been called to serve in places near and far, Cleveland, Ohio, Lansing, Michigan, Eastern Europe and Russia just to name a few.

 

Most of our group are from Utah as expected, but two couples are from Los Angeles and one other couple, Elder and Sister Leach, are from the Rosemont area in Sacramento, who are called to serve in Sweden. The funny thing is that Steve actually knew them, so it truly is a small world. One third of the couples in our group have served at least one previous mission so we are surrounded by wisdom, experience and a great love for the work.

 

It has been a busy day filled with fun, facts and inspiration. Missionary orientations, special speakers, and making new friends. We were actually divided into smaller "Districts" composed of 3 other couples at the end of the day  so we look forward to getting to know our District couples better. 

 

In Matthew Chapter 19:29 it says: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, (or grandchildren), or lands, for my sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

 

If you were to ask us how we felt about our first day at the MTC I think Steve would agree with me, it was better than we had ever imagined it could be!

 

Tomorrow we start our training classes and have a special devotional in the evening by a General Authority of the Church. We can't wait!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

T-Minus 6 Days and Counting

 

It's been said that the secret to having it all, is believing that you do!

Well we truly believe that we do.  We have so much to be thankful for so even though I hate to see this time in our lives draw to a close we are finally ready for the next adventure to begin...

 

We want our example of living life, our walk before our ten grandchildren-to be more than just talk. Actions really do speak louder than words. We believe that children are a reflection of their parents, and grandchildren are the blessings, the reward of a job well done. We all need someone to look up to; that's the privilege of being grandparents!

 

After working for the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) investigating paramedics for four short years it was time for Steve to pack up and take a leave of absence to serve a mission. Steve has loved the people he had the opportunity to work with and will miss the hunt of searching for the truth.

At the request of our daughter, Katie, our wonderful friends, Tony and LaRee Bermudez hosted a Missionary Farewell for us on Sunday evening. Katie reached out to many of her friends for help and the results were delicious!!!

 

Just appreciating all the hard work of so many...

 

Steve, Jim and Diana Hunt and our hostess, LaRee.

 

My sister in law, Marian, her son, Jeff, her daughter, Megan, and my granddaughter Sienna.

The love and support we received was overwhelming!

 

Just a preview of all the things that we are planning to take on our new adventure.  Steve thinks we may need to rent a U-Haul, or at the very least rent a bus, but I have faith that he will be able to fit everything in our car.  I truly can't imagine leaving anything behind and have actually considered seeing if a grand child or two will fit in my suitcase :)

 

 

 

Daffodils are my favorite flower, and I always look forward to their arrival every year. So it seems only fitting that I close this entry by stating something that suddenly occurred to me.  As hard as it is to leave family and friends at this particular time, we like the daffodils, will return again next spring so now we all have something to look forward to.

 

We leave for Meridian, Idaho first thing tomorrow morning to visit our oldest daughter and her family and then enter the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah on Monday, March 4th.  Our next post may be a few days late, but hopefully it will be worth waiting for. 

 

14 days to go...

14 days to go and let me just say that the days seem to be getting longer and longer if that is even possible.

A wise person once said, “What you are becoming is more important than what you are accomplishing.” Well I don’t feel like I am accomplishing much at this particular point, (except maybe putting on a few pounds with all the recent lunch dates I have had) but I hope I am learning patience and I am definitely learning to count my blessings.

 

 At the end of January I had the opportunity to fly to southern California to visit 4 of my favorite people, my Grandmother, Mimi, who will be celebrating her 100^th birthday August 23^rd of this year, my Aunt Holly, my youngest daughter Sam and her husband Jake. The weather was warm and the conversations priceless. I even received some important genealogy information thanks to a surprise telephone conversation with my Uncle Mike.

While visiting in San Diego Sam and I went to visit the Mormon Battalion Museum, lunched in Old San Diego, and shopped at Target (Jake had to work).  Then Sam and I loaded up and drove back to Sacramento to attend my grandson, Mason’s, 8^thbirthday celebration at Red Robin and his baptism the following day.

The fun just never ends. I cut my finger preparing treats for our family Super Bowl in home party (as opposed to tail gate party) and had to get three stitches! But thanks to everyone staying home to watch the game and the lights going out at the end of the second quarter, the Emergency Room was a ghost town and I didn’t even miss

halftime. 

 

We purchased a new "Smart" phone recently in preparation of our new adventure. Everyone makes it look so easy, but looks can be deceiving! I know that I will eventually "get it", but until then I am struggling. Not to worry, I can still text and e-mail with the best of you, but don't ask me to share a picture, because it appears that they are being held hostage on my phone :(

 

 

Saturday, February 16th, Steve’s siblings hosted a family dinner to celebrate our “call to serve”. It is humbling to think that so many people are willing to sacrifice their time and travel far to show their love and to wish us well.

 

On Sunday, February 17th, many of our friends and family gathered together to listen to Steve and I speak in church. Steve thought it would be a great idea to have our two grand daughters wear matching dresses in celebration of the occaision. It's fortunate that we only have two grand daughters at this time because outfitting a whole crew could become costly.  I apologize to my eight grandsons, but we didn't think you would appreciate another tie.

 

At the begining of this post I mentioned recent lunch dates I have had and if my new phone wasn't being so stubborn I would love to be able to share pictures of some of these special people in my life.  The first, my high school buddy Mary. With us both working full time meeting for lunch was never an option.  But now that I am a lady of leisure we jumped at the chance and had a great time catching up.

 The second picture I would share is one of my BFF Janie, who was in town for a brief visit over President’s weekend and who initiated an impromptu get together at Panera’s. Marili, Alison, Alisa, LaRee, Roberta, Carla, Beth and Louanne were all there.  It’s a good thing we are all busy women because they probably would have had to kick us out at closing if we didn’t have other things to do J

The clock continues to tick.......

 

 

The Saga Continues...

A wise friend suggested that I read Ether, Chapter 6, in the Book of Mormon, for some great advice about overcoming trials. Please allow me to paraphrase, "And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters...they were buried in the depths of the sea..the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land. And they did sing praises unto the Lord.  And thus they were driven forth 344 days upon the waters  And they did land upon the shore of the promised land! 344 days? I guess we can hang in there for a measly 34 more days! I have to admit that it is a little humbling to think that Satan thinks we deserve all this attention :)

 

Just in case you are one of those people that think "retired" prospective senior missionary couples do is sit around all day watching the birds and waiting for the camellias and daffodils to bloom,  let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth! Aside from surfing on the Internet to find 8 to 10 short sleeved shirts that don't fit like a tent and are actually available in our lifetime we have had a series of homework assignments to complete prior to reporting to the Mission Training Center, March 4th.

 

 

 There were actually 2 hummingbirds and four other birds having breakfast on us.  But of course once I pulled out the camera they all became camera shy!

 

 

 I am happy to announce that we have finally completed our last assignment and are looking forward to going back to bird watching and flowers growing, just kidding :)

Enough is enough...

Countdown:  40 days!

What do supplemental health insurance, a new water pump, a new washer and dryer and a new garage door spring have in common?  They are all unexpected financial set backs.  It appears that Satan has heard the news of our mission call and is working overtime to discourage us.  We now know that Satan's work to slow missionary efforts is not just manifest in tempting us as individuals to break God's commandments.  He also tries to guide us to depend upon the thoughts and ways of man.  When we are preparing to do the Lord's work we should expect temptation and deception to intensify...but seriously enough already!

 

Who knew that Kaiser wouldn't be enough?

Supplemental Insurance, here we come!

 

A recently fixed truck

 

Our new washer and dryer

 

...and a working garage door

 

 

 On a brighter note we have family and friends that continue to support us and cute sea shell towels and new measuring cups and spoons to help make our apartment in Orlando feel more like home.

 

Trip to Utah and Idaho

December 8, 2012 we went to Salt Lake City to see the lights on Temple Square and to visit some friends.  We then drove to Meridian, Idaho to vistit friends, the Pollmanns and our family in Idaho, the Esslingers.  We then drove to Rexburg, Idaho for Jake and Sam's graduation from BYUI.  We then packed up a trailer and pulled their stuff home to Sacramento in a snow storm.  Sam and Jake are moving to San Diego, the first of the year, for a job and to continue their education.  We got home on December 15, 2012. 

 

 Kathi at Temple Square in Salt Lake City

 Kathi and Stephen Temple Square

 Our friends the Galligan.  They lived in California now in Utah

 Kathi and Stephen, Sylvia and Gary Johnson.  Gary and Stephen were missionary friends in 1972 in the Eastern States Mission.  We served together on Staten Island, New York.  They live in Utah.

 Then off to Idaho to visit Jett, Cale and Dax Esslinger

 Brian and Andi Esslinger at Jake and Sam's Graduation Lunch

 Stephen, Kathi, Sam, Brian, Andi at Sam's Graduation from BYUI

 Stephen, Sam, Jake, Kathi

Jake and Sam's Graduation.  They walked across the stage together.

We are very proud of them.



We received our mission call.  We were called to serve in the Florida Orlando Mission.  We are to report to the Missionary Training Center, March 4, 2012, in Provo, Utah.  We will be there for about one week and then drive our car to Florida, where we will be serving for one year.