Let Them Be Little

NATHAN STARTED HIS NEW JOB TODAY!

After he had his first official day of work at the MTC, which was a training day, I got to talk with him.

He is super-duper excited!

On cloud nine!

Nathan loves it already.

I am thrilled for him! 

He will be teaching the intermediate and advanced Spanish speaking missionaries.

They are in the MTC for only 3 weeks; so he will have a new group of fresh, young missionaries every 3 weeks!  Fun!

He surprised some of the missionaries with his Spanish, one young man told another (Latin) missionary that Nathan spoke better than he did.  Ha, ha!

Then they found out that he served his mission already - in Argentina...

and they all had a good laugh.

They were among several others who didn't realize that Nathan is a teacher there. (Thought he was a missionary).   :)

When it really matters, when he is very old and still looks really young, he will be grateful for his youthful good looks.  :) 

(I can say that because I am his mom, wink, wink!)

GRATITUDE DAY 13

TODAY was such a wonderful day that there just aren't enough words to express my gratitude.

This day has been a long and very rewarding day as we spent nearly 11 hours in church today!

Yes, 11 hours.  And you thought we were crazy going to church for 3 hours each Sunday, right?!  Ha, ha.

But it was such a fabulous experience, I loved it all.

Our TX high council had asked for Nathan to come and report to them if it were at all possible. We really wanted to be able to have that happen; not only do we love them (our HC), we knew it would be a special opportunity for Nathan.

Nathan reported his mission to them at 7 AM and then we were off to many other congregations throughout the day.

He spoke of his mission everywhere we went and it was wonderful to hear all of the different things he had to say throughout the day. 

What a very special time for our family.

Highlights for me from the day:

Watching Nathan speak Spanish with the people in the Spanish branch (congregation); it is clear that he loves the language, culture and the Latin people so very much.

Attending church with the Young Singles again.  I really love that group of young people!  Some of them also came to see me and meet Nathan at our open house on Sat. night; they made my night!

Such a wonderful and very happy day!

 

GRATITUDE DAY 2

WORK.

Good, old-fashioned hard work.  (It does a body good...and the spirit too!)

My parents and grandparents believe in hard work. 

I didn't value that enough as a kid but I do now.  They knew what they were talking about, I realized that years ago.  One of the best feelings in the world is that of satisfaction and accomplishment after a good day of work.

I believe that is one of the main reasons my grandmother stayed healthy for so many years. She was a hardworking woman and it kept her alert, strong, confident and happy.  I'm thankful she shared how she felt about such things with me.

The crazy snowstorms we have experienced here have caused trees all over town (and the surrounding towns also) to break.  The snow was wet and heavy and our trees still had their leaves - not a good combination.  Many large and beautiful trees lost branches and large limbs.  The downed trees were in some cases dangerous!  They took out power and/or power lines (we had that here!), landed on rooftops and cars, streets, walkways, etc.  Really, it's been a mess all over town.  There are a lot of elderly folks who live in town and they have a hard time getting the limbs and branches cleared out and their yards cleaned up.  This has given lots of opportunity for service.

Nathan has gone out and walked the streets looking for people who need help. He has been stopping and assisting anyone in need. Right after the first storm, he took Smash with him and they were able to help quite a few people and both of them came home feeling great!

I have noticed that being able to go out and give service such as this has been helping Nathan.  It is not easy to come home from a mission and re-enter regular life.  But each time he has gone out and worked hard, been able to meet new people, and has given selfless service, his spirits are lifted. That makes me very grateful!

 

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~Thomas Edison

And another favorite:

"Hard Work beats talent when talent fails to work hard." 

~(Not sure who said it first, credit has been given to several folks).

 

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW TONIGHT

and it's pretty much the same thing I usually know...

NOTHING.

 

When will he be home? 

I don't know. (sigh).

  (photo from a FB friend who posted it to my wall yesterday.  So nice!)

Earlier today (Tuesday) we learned that flights out of Buenos Aires had been canceled due to ash from a volcanic eruption in Chile.

Was Nathan's flight canceled? 

Yes.

It appeared later in the day that they were trying to re-route him, possibly through Santiago...which is in Chile... (thought that was funny!) Those crazy weather patterns!

But we didn't hear whether he was able to get on a flight out or not.  It appears that he did not leave but we just don't know.

One thing I do know with certainty is that we will be ready to see him again whenever he can make it! 

There is actually one other thing I also know...I cannot sleep!

And I am cooking and baking as if he is still going to return tomorrow.

(Ha!  Could make up a new catch phrase here - "Cooking and baking like there IS a tomorrow!" You know, you've heard the phrases ending with "like there is NO tomorrow...ha, ha.)

 

As anxious as I am to see him and have him home with us again, I have been feeling sad for him and for the people in Argentina.  He loves them and he has completely loved his mission. He will miss representing the Lord and serving every day, all day long. He will miss those dear people and I know they will miss him too.  Some of those wonderful friends of his have already reached out to me and told me how much he is loved and will be missed.

Our household items from TX have arrived.  Some things are in the home where we are staying now and others are in storage. Jonathan went to TX last week and got everything out.  The home is empty and ready for occupancy - by someone else. 

So, we are now trying to move things in and get a little settled here.

Which is causing me to feel a bit of pressure.

I feel a little like we have a dignitary coming to see us. Isn't that silly to feel that way about a son returning from a mission?  I know it must sound strange but that is how I feel. And I don't know if I will be able to be fully ready for him. And yet, none of the extra fluff and stuff matters to him.  He is always happy.  He will be grateful for whatever we have for him. 

However, he has served diligently and been completely dedicated to the Lord for 2 years AND we have missed him. I would like for him to know how grateful we are to him for his service.

The more I think of Nathan, the more I feel that we do have a dignitary coming to see us.

A faithful servant of the Lord is a special person.

Any one who serves the Lord for 2 years to the best of his/her abilities deserves a red-carpet welcome.  :)

The office called me the other day to talk about his departure from Argentina and then his arrival here.  (This was before the cloud of ash).  The person on the other end of the phone spoke so highly of Nathan and of his service.  He let me know that Nathan was working really hard and was doing a great work with many people.  I knew that was true by what Nathan has shared with us in his weekly letters but it was so nice to hear it from someone else.

He has given it all.

He has been a great missionary!

Now, to get him home...

I'll let you know what happens.  :)

A RECORDING OF NATHAN

 

in Spanish!

This took place several months ago.  I apologize for not getting it on here sooner!  It needs to be shared!  In fact, I'm sharing it with my Institute class tomorrow evening.  :)

This is a recording of an event that took place in Nathan's last area.  Charly (pictured below) was found by Nathan and his companion, in an unusual manner.  He wanted to record it before Nathan left the area so he had the experience recorded and then he sent the audio to me.  How very thoughtful of this man!

If you have a chance to listen to it, please do!  It is definitely worth the few minutes it takes.  If you don't speak the language but know someone who does, the translation is really neat.

I cannot translate directly but I understand enough (listening with Italian ears) to get the basic message of the story recorded.

And just listening to Nathan speak Spanish is super fun!

At least listen until Nathan says "miracle" in Spanish (milagro) and his voice cracks; even if you do not speak the language, I think you will be able to understand that. 

It was fun to learn that Nathan's voice still cracks when he gets excited and even when he is speaking a different language.

Click on link:

Elder Lloyd-Charly 12 jun2011  I had to right click on link and choose" open in new window" to play.

 

 

 

A basic background of the story recorded is that Nathan and his companion were having a bad day.  They, for whatever reason, decided to run until they felt they should stop.  They felt that if they ran until they felt the spirit tell them to stop, they would find someone who wanted to learn of Christ.

So they ran.  And ran.  They ran the equivalent of about 10 blocks.  Then they felt they should stop at the door of Charly's home.  They knocked and he answered and asked them in immediately.

Charly related that he recognized them as servants of God; he saw a light around them.  He had been waiting for them to come as an answer to prayer.

OH, NATHAN...

can still make me laugh without doing much of anything!

Here is a little video from Facundo (you may remember the Facebook friend I continued to turn down because I didn't know him). Facundo sent this video with a lot of "Ja, jajajajaja..." written below.  Jajajaja = Hahahaha!

Facundo and another friend of Nathan's from Tandil let me know that Nathan is being moved to a new area this weekend.

 

 

OPEN WIDE!

It's a puzzle!

Nathan, on his 4th birthday.  Every time I look at this picture, I laugh!

Wow!  What an expression - and over a Pinocchio puzzle!  I love this kid!  He was such fun.

The girls were going through a box of old photos and found a few really cute oldies.  Thanks girls, I love looking back at those super sweet days when the kids were younger.

As I remember it, this was a BIG birthday for him; he also received the REAL vacuum that he had wished for.  It was a little hand-held Dirt Devil that my parents gave to him and the minute he opened it he began to use it.  In fact, he vacuumed the stairs every day.   (Until the little dirt devil quit working - the vacuum, not Nathan, ha, ha!).

So, how is this little guy with the big brown eyes doing now?  He's great!  And. SO. Very. Happy!  But he has learned to keep his mouth closed while he screams for joy on the inside.
Here he is with Delia.  

Here are a few of his words:

"Sábado: We did a service project and changed a school to be as new in a few hours...

We had a lesson with Delia, and she shared with us that she made a promise to God to be baptized now that she has recieved her answer... She is ready and excited to be baptized!"

"One of the things I most love about this work is the great love that has rooted itself within me for the people I have the chance to teach. This is the true feeling of Charity, and the feeling of it within me is powerful and pure."

What he said about the Christmas season:

"The Navidad here is quite different than in the States...  They still have papa noel (Santa Clause). They also have the three Rey Magos, The three kings, and they leave an old shoe with water and grass out for the three of them ( the three gifts for Christ)  Those are a few traditions I thought would interest you... It just doesn´t feel like Christmas though... There is no Christmas music, and it´s hooottttt haha... I love it here though... !! It is a very happy time of year for all of the people..."

***

"I love this work. I love the Lord. I am very grateful for the
opportunity I have to serve Him."

OUR SWEET CHRISTMAS DAY

BEGAN AT 4 AM for me.

That is when I jumped (flying reindeer style) out of bed and into the kitchen to begin our traditional Christmas morning cinnamon rolls.

Though I am not typically what you would call a morning person...it takes me a while to warm up to the day ahead...I really love Christmas morning and waking before the rest of the family.

It gives me the opportunity to reflect on the year, quiet moments to think about all of the people we love, and it offers me plenty of time to get REALLY excited about the day ahead!

This year as I was rolling out the dough, I was looking at my red tree (truth be told it was a green tree decorated with red lights) and the ONE stocking left hanging on the fireplace - Nathan's.

Such bitter-sweet feelings came over me as I thought of our son in a distant land; serving and loving the people there.  He is learning of and becoming a better disciple of the One we are celebrating this day. That is such a comforting feeling for me as his mother.  This is such a unique time for him, I hope he is embracing each moment.  Before we know it, Christmas will come around once again and he will be home.  When that happens, Christmas day will be bitter-sweet for him as he misses Argentina and all that he loves there (and must leave behind), and as he celebrates once again at home with us.  I wrote a note for him and left it in his stocking.  It will be there for him next Christmas (when he is home!).

 

About 100 rolls later...the kids were up, actually, Meg was up first and going crazy trying to force her siblings out of bed.  Eventually (when they smelled the aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls) they were all in the kitchen.  They emptied the contents of their stockings and then helped me wrap, tag and ready the rolls for delivery.  They all said that delivering cinnamon rolls is their favorite part of our Christmas traditions.

We delivered.

Some folks were ready and waiting for us this year with hot chocolate waiting (in to-go cups!) and homemade salsa to bring home with us!  Yum.  At the home pictured above, we also got to hear the news that their number four child (to be born in June) will be a boy!  That makes two and two for them also, yay!

 

Smash said that he loves it when people ask what they got for Christmas and the kids tell them they haven't opened gifts yet.  He said they always tell them, "You'd better hurry home then!"  The kids all say that they love opening their gifts later in the day after they have delivered the cinnamon rolls.  This is the one part of our tradition that I thought they might dislike, but they love it!  That makes me so happy!

We did NOT get all delivered in the morning though.  I became very worried that Nathan may try to call the home phone while we were out.  So we went home and finished up deliveries after our AWESOME phone call with our missionary son.We were able to talk for an hour, never long enough but fabulous!  We opened the package he sent to us.  He had asked me to keep it a secret from the rest of the family when it arrived, and boy, was that ever hard!  But I did and they were so excited to get to open it while he was on the phone with us.

Everything in the package was so personal.  He had a special little gift for each of us.  He also included a very personal, handwritten letter to everyone and an outline for a special family night.  (If you look closely at the photo you will see the letters, notice the little bow he put on the paper, cute!).  We each had parts to say, and he had specified what we would sing together, who would pray, in what order we would do everything and then he left time for each of us to share how we felt at the end.  It was the most thoughtful thing; he is such a sweet person.  I am in awe that the Lord chose to send him to us and so very grateful.

I really loved the package.  Even the stamps were so very beautiful to me. 

Our Christmas day couldn't have been any sweeter.  I loved every minute of it!  We all did.
 

GRATITUDE DAY 17

MISSIONARY LETTERS.

Today (and every day) I am thankful for missionary letters.

Letters to our missionary as well as letters from him.  Each letter is a blessing.

 

Of course we love receiving Nathan's letters; they are always uplifting and are filled with words of encouragement, love and hope.  I am thankful we live in a time when it is so easy to communicate.  We love hearing from him!

In recent news from Nathan, he has had his camera stolen but hasn't given up hope of finding who took it.  He is keeping a gratitude journal this month!  He is working hard in Tandil and he said he is doing great there and is very blessed.  His love for the Lord is continually increasing as he serves the people in Argentina.  I am very thankful for him.

Writing to a missionary son is a great privilege.  I have noticed that throughout each week, I pay closer attention to things that he may be interested in reading from us.  I look for scriptures that may be helpful to him.  I share my personal, spiritual experiences in the letters.  I let him know when I am faced with a challenge, what that challenge may be and how I work through it.  And I share the love I have for him and for our Savior.  It has become a wonderful journal.  

We (the family) share our best ideas and deepest thoughts through the letters.  We share funny stories of regular life at home.  We send words of encouragement and love to him. 

I enjoy reading what each member of the family has to say to Nathan; what they choose to share with him shows me how much they love and admire him.  Such a gift!

 

 

ISN'T IT AMAZING

how just when you need something such as a little pick me up - could be in the form of a smile or a thoughtful phone call  or a note of some sort - you get it?!

That is EXACTLY what happened to me this week!

 

And I think it is amazing and wonderful!  Or amazingly wonderful.  (smile)

Earlier in the week I was sent a 'friend' invitation from a stranger on Facebook.  I don't accept those so I ignored it, or rather declined it...anyway, the friend request happened again, twice...and the last time a brief note came with it.  

It was a young man from Tandil, Argentina.  His name is Facundo Alia.  He knows Nathan and somehow found me on FB.  He wanted to tell me about how he loves Nathan.

Here is what he said (after I finally accepted his friend request!) when I asked him to tell me more about his friendship with Nathan.

"He is so good and speaks Spanish very well.  He is one of the finest missionaries can be seen in Argentina and has a great spirit.  He is the best and I love him.

Sorry if my English is not understood that it is very difficult for me."

 

His heart is easily understood, isn't it?

What a lift!  What a gift, especially this week.  

I am thankful to this young man for taking the time to find me and send me a couple of very kind notes about Nathan.

I am also very thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who helped Facu find me (persistently) and write a kind note about Nathan along with a report that all is well.  His reaching out allowed me the opportunity to ask him if he could let Nathan know that we all love him.  

The very week I was worried that Nathan might not have heard those powerful words from us through letters, a new way became available for me to send our love to him.

 

This little heavenly gift for our family this week really is amazing to me. 

IF YOU FIND A COUPLE OF EXTRA MINUTES

in your day and you would like to put a smile on the face of a super-duper, terrific, hard-working, kind and wonderful young man then please send a letter to our missionary.

I think he could use it.

If you want to send him a letter, there is a simple way to accomplish that AND it is FREE!  

When will you have a better offer?  Really!  Simple and FREE in the same sentence!  Can't beat it.

A line in his latest letter has me concerned that he has not been receiving our email and I cannot feel content until I know for sure.  In the meantime though, I can rally the troops (so to speak), gather together those who know and love him (or us) or better yet, the Lord and ask for a favor.

His line that has me concerned?  "How're you all doing?  It has been so long since I've heard from you...I hope that life is treating you all well..."

That line is so strange since we write EVERY week.  Even if no one else in the family can send a letter, I do.  On the day that he sent that, he should have received 4 letters from us.

You can imagine how my mother heart felt when I read his words.  My heart went from my chest to my stomach and somehow shot a lump into my throat which brought tears to my eyes.

We will be sending off letters via   Dear Elder . com  (as well as our usual method) this week to ensure that he receives something from us in the next couple of weeks. Dear Elder . com takes longer to arrive than email but is a lot quicker than snail mail (postal service).  The letters sent through this service are printed off and handed to the missionary.  Easy and reliable!  And let me reiterate...simple and FREE!!

All you have to do is click on the link to dearelder.com then go to missions, use the pull down menu and select Argentina Bahia Blanca (it will then let you know that it is free), you will be given a window that is just like an email window, after you enter your info and choose his name, you get to type an email-like letter and then click SEND!  That's it!  So easy!

I can see the sparkles in his big, brown eyes and the smile on his sweet face as he opens letters from YOU!

It would be so very appreciated by all of us.

Thank you.

WHERE AM I TODAY?

Right now,

I'M HOME.  

(For a bit).

 

Today, October 14th, is a beautiful day.  It is a celebratory day.  

And I am feeling thankful and so very blessed.

I feel like throwing a party!  (Anyone want to come over and celebrate with me?)

There are quite a few folks in my world who celebrate birthdays today; folks I love and am thankful to have in my life.

But today is an especially wonderful day for me because it is a major milestone for our family; an exceptionally happy day.

You see, last year, on this very day, I was here.  (click here to see post).

One year!

A year has passed.

He is still alive and happy, what a relief.  :)

One more to go.  And this next year brings with it enormous changes for our family.  

A year ago, this day was hard for me.  It was also a happy day, please don't misunderstand.  

I felt grateful and excited to send Nathan off to serve.  He was well prepared, it was a goal and a dream for him to fulfill - one he had been planning on since he was a little boy.  He was ready, willing and happy to serve our Savior and the people in Argentina.  How could I not be happy for him?

But I was also sad to see him go:  sad for conversations we would not be able to have, sad for holidays and dinners, vacations and family time spent without him there.  And more.

I was also worried.  Worried about his safety and about the people who might come into his life.  Would those people be kind?  Would he be taken advantage of or harmed in any way?  And most importantly, would he be able to find where he needs to be, or would he get lost?  Ha, ha.  Nate is directionally challenged...or he was, not sure if that has changed.

But now, after one year down, I can say that it isn't as hard as it was for me in the beginning.  I have learned to trust more.  I more fully appreciate that sending him off to people who need his service is a blessing.  I feel happier about sharing him with the world, and I wouldn't hesitate to send him out again.  He truly is giving it his all.  He is selfless and kind.  He loves the Lord and he loves the people he is serving.  It is evident to me that although he has had some difficult times as well as wonderful experiences, he is happier than ever!

Today really is a day to celebrate for many reasons.

Since Nathan and I shared a most decadent caramel apple just before he left, I am recreating that treat to share with the family (and a few other folks).  An apple pie caramel apple. Yum!  

(Hope it turns out to be as wonderful as the one we shared).

 

Dear Nathan, 

Thank you for your wonderful service over the past year.  You are loved and appreciated by many.

You are definitely missed here at home.  We talk of you and think of you always.  We share stories and laugh at funny moments we had with you.  We pray for you daily; morning and night, and even in between.

Your service lifts us and blesses us as a family.

I wait each week, rather impatiently, for your letter.  I am as giddy as a school girl when I get it and then I feel a bit of a let down when the letter is over and there are no more words.  I always check multiple times to make sure I didn't happen to miss anything and although I am sad it is over, I am always uplifted and happy from the thoughts and feelings you did share.

We have weathered many storms over this past year, and surely will have more to learn and grow from throughout the next.  We hope to greet you in a year from now as much better people (some of us are hoping to be much taller as well!).  :)

Thank you.  Keep serving with your whole heart. 

Con todo mi amor,

Mama`

 

WHERE HE IS NOW

TANDIL, Argentina.

He was assigned to this new area and traveled to it on his birthday.

Curious to know more about the area where he is serving, I did what I usually do when he is sent to a new area, a brief consult with (the all-knowing) Google.  A little Google earth, a little Google search and a few minutes later...

Look at those mountains!

And the rock below?!  Anyone want to go climbing?

Isn't this a darling chapel?

It was a bit hard for him to leave his last area, he had only been there a very short time.

It seems that if one is serving in a place or position for a time that seems to be cut short, it is hard to adjust.  It takes time and faith to move on and feel that it was alright to leave unfinished business.

But each experience brings an opportunity to learn, grow and understand the Lord's will.

On his birthday, he not only traveled to a new area but a sweet family made lunch and a cake for him.  This is what he said about that.

"It was wonderful. Admittedly, the cake did have nuts on it, which was a tiny downer, but I ate it anyway, and it turned out to be fantastic!  It tasted just like Emily´s favorite candy bar (I can´t remember the name) with a tinge of orange. The best part was the opportunity to just be with that family.

The highlight of my birthday was Ain, one of the sons of an investigator in Viedma. He remembered it was my birthday and gave me a big hug!!"

And a little more from him:

"So... life here is great... I love the mission because it just keeps on pushing you. It can be hard at times, but it always, always makes you better...  and that is great!

I know that this is God´s work and that He expects much of us... He is the perfect father, because He prepares His children to be perfect as well... He loves us more than we could even imagine, and because of that He sent us His Son. This gospel is wonderful... ;)"

 

DON'T CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA...

because Argentina, we are crying for you!

With Italia and the US out of contention, our hopes turned to Argentina, but Germany shut them down.

Argentina was so full of heart, Germany looked very much like a well-oiled machine.   Sad (for Argentina).

Here is a happy look at one (actually two) of Argentina's biggest fans:

I am so happy that Nathan took the time and money to buy a team Argentina world cup jersey.

A FULL WEEK of womanly duties,

REALLY FULL.  Overwhelmingly full. 

I won't share all of the daily details but I wanted to mention here that my thoughts have been on womanhood and motherhood.

But mainly on the blessing it is to be a woman today, to have wonderful women in my life, to have had wonderful women surround me at all stages in my life and to now be able to raise two beautiful young women.  I am so blessed and very thankful for such blessings.

Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you beautiful women (and to the men who have wonderful women in their lives).

Thank you to all of the women in my life.

Women are a divine gift to this world.

Where would we be without them?  Not here!  (Ha!)

Women are naturally nurturing, loving, kind, generous, powerful, intelligent, charitable, gentle, sensitive, spiritual and gracious.  (To name a few).

Of course not all women possess all of these divine qualities from the moment they arrive on this earth, but women are born with at least one or a few of these God-given gifts.  And they have the capability of gaining more!  Aren't women wonderful?!

I know that some men possess these qualities as well, but men are different from women...and I am only speaking of women right now.  :)

Now for a favorite quote:

         Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good. 

                                                                                    ~Gordon B. Hinckley

 

My mother's day was so sweet and nice.  The kids and Jonathan were very kind and showed me they loved me in every way possible. Royalty could not have been treated better.  I love them. 

The crowning jewel in our day (I know every one would agree) was speaking with Nathan.  Oh, he is happy!  He is doing so well!  Even though his English is now Spanglish, his heart is still the same and he is still our Nathan. 

We laughed a lot. 

Cried a little.  

We sat around the kitchen table with Nathan (on speaker phone) and it felt as if he were in the room with us (almost).

Nathan told us he has written quite a few letters but hasn't sent them to people...he told us he wasn't sure what to do.  Oh, Nathan...  We suggested he ask his Argentine companero to take him to the post office where he can buy stamps and send them!  If he listens to our advice, some of you may be receiving letters!  (Wouldn't that be nice?!)

We had a very funny and enlightening (for the kids) conversation about the lack of toilet paper there and the use of a bidet.  I wasn't sure if the kids would ever recover from this conversation, especially Smash!  We have decided that a nice, (Nathan said it has to be dark), monogrammed bidet towel would make a terrific Christmas or birthday gift.

He has painted a school and taught English (after speaking with him I can see why he said THAT was hard for him!).

He has been serving others temporally as well as spiritually wherever possible.

We asked if there was anything we could do for him, or anything/anyone he wanted us to pray for.  At first he began to name people there, the community, the country, and then he said, "Well, maybe you should just pray for everyone."  We asked, "Everyone?  As in the whole world?"  He replied, "Ya..., probably everyone needs that." 

So we have been.  

Nathan loves receiving letters.  He asked how everyone was doing.  In everything he said, it was apparent that he LOVES where he is and what he is doing and wishes everyone could feel such peace and happiness.

Love to all of you from me.

WAIT FOR IT WEDNESDAY!

Today was wait for it Wednesday...

the day I patiently anxiously wait, and wait, and wait;

all day, I wait for the letter from Nathan (via e-mail) to arrive in my inbox.  (Even though I know his letters generally come in the late afternoon or early evening).

His letters have been rather short; he is busy.

But today was worth waiting for; pictures came with his short e-mail.  

Funny thing about these pictures, he told us he tried to send them but the system had a failure and so he wasn't able to send any.  We got three!  So exciting!  He didn't send descriptions of the photos (since he thought he didn't send any!).

He is doing so well and is loving every minute!

The photo of Nathan with the little boy must have been taken at church since they are both wearing ties.

It is also apparent that the weather is turning cooler there, it is Autumn now in Argentina; nearly Winter.

Seeing Nathan in photos is bittersweet for me.  They are reassuring because he looks great and I love to see that!  But really seeing him, not just reading his words, reminds me of just how much I miss him.  I miss the way he would call to me over and over without stopping to take a breath, "Mom, mom, mom, mom..."  This is something he started doing in his very early years and continued doing right up until the day he left for his mission.  I also miss how he would burst through the door each afternoon and holler out to me to make sure I was home then promptly ask me how I was doing or inquire about my day.   Everything always seemed to smell good to Nathan.  It didn't matter what I was cooking, he would without fail say, "Whatcha cookin'?  It smells GOOD in here!"  I miss his friends who would always accompany him home.  The front door and the refrigerator door were constantly revolving with Nathan and his friends.  I miss his kind and tender heart.  The way the home felt when he was here.  And I miss his goofy, silly laugh! 

But guess what?!

Sunday is Mother's Day.  We get to talk to him on the phone!

Now, I can't wait for Sunday!

6 MONTHS!

CELEBRATE WITH US!

It's a milestone.

Nathan has been a missionary for 6 months now.

Can you believe it?

He is so very happy and that makes this experience all the greater for us.

And for a 6 month gift to me, he sent a couple of photos.  (Finally!)

This is a family he is working with right now.  A birthday celebration for one of the children.

Here is a little bit from his most recent letter:

¡HOLA FAMILIA!!

 

¿Cómo andan? Espero que bien :)

 

Well... TIME FLIES!!!!!!! It´s so wierd to think that I´ve already been a missionary for 6 months! Sometimes it seems like the time is flying by too fast, but at the same time, I can´t really remember how life was before... Sometimes I wonder if I have a short term memory or something like that, because, well I keep on forgetting!! Haha... jk, but really, right now, I am really grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary in the service of the Lord. It´s wonderful to be here, to lose oneself in the service of the Lord...

We also recently received a letter (in the mail) from his mission president.  Seeing that in the mailbox with the Argentina postage stamp was so very exciting!  The letter was so thoughtful. 

He let us know of Nathan's recent change in location and his new assignment as a zone leader in his area.

He wrote, "That means more responsibility, work and without a doubt beautiful experiences are waiting him as he fulfills faithfully this sacred responsibility.

I want to congratulate you for your son and share with you the happiness of having him in our mission...

He is an excellent missionary, dedicated to fulfilling the work to which he has been called and I know he will be greatly blessed for this work."

Reading these words brought such happiness and comfort to me.

I am so very thankful that our dear son is engaged in such good things at this time in his life!

SOCKS AND OTHER WARM THOUGHTS

Megan has always been cheerful in the mornings!  As a baby she would wake up happy.  Once she was able to talk, upon waking she would call to me happily from her crib.  "Hi, hi, hi, mommmaaa!"

Even now, at the ripe old age of 12, when I wake her up with a 'good morning', she cheerfully replies with a groggy 'g o o d   mor n in  g' of her own and immediately gets up to go about her day.  This is one of her sweet, God-given traits.

She was able to sleep in yesterday morning for the first time in a long time.  But as soon as she was up and going, she found me to tell me good morning and to ask a very important question...

"Mom, when you were a little girl, did you wear socks to bed?"

I had to think for a few seconds, I wasn't certain if I had...

"Uh, I don't know, maybe I did if my feet were cold or if we were camping..."

Then she said,

"Oh, I was just thinking that if you did, that might be why your feet are so small!"

Ha, ha!  I love this girl!

I wasn't sure if I should tell her that my dad always told me that they (my parents) "bound" my feet and "that's why they are so small."

Yes, my dad told me that.  No, they did NOT bind my feet.  And yes(!) they are THAT small.

.

Other warm thoughts:

Bryan is at home recovering now and doing well!  What a blessing!  So many wonderful things happened during this difficult time; there is no question that the Lord is watching out for their family and had a guiding hand in everything that happened.

I am so grateful! 

We are still praying for a full and speedy recovery and a good pathology report.

.
We received a sweet (but short) letter from Nathan this week.

He is now in a new area, Mar del Plata.  A very large city by the ocean.

"...It was a very exciting and very sad experience... I´m going to miss the people of General Pico. I´m going to miss the unique culture of the Pampa, but I am certainly excited to begin this next phase of my mission! :) I am now serving in the biggest city in the whole mission, Mar del Plata! It´s a coastal city, and filled with millions of people. It´s a whole different mix of people here. They are on the move a lot more. The siesta practically doesn´t exist and the people aren´t likely to give you the time of day but I am ready and excited..."

The missionary he will be serving with now is from Rio Cuarto, Argentina.  Nathan had already heard that this missionary was exceptional.  It will be wonderful for him to learn from him.  They also have the assignment of being leaders over a group of missionaries, called a Zone.  Nathan is the assistant zone leader which he said means that he will be taking care of the "majority of the temporal affairs of the zone: mail, home maintenance, finances, and other assignments."  The missionary he is serving with is over the spiritual necessities of the missionaries. 

This will be a great challenge for him; a new area, someone new to serve with and some added assignments.  Wonderful opportunities for growth!

In his last area, he was serving with a missionary from Peru` and in this new area he gets to serve with a missionary from Argentina.  I think this is fantastic!  What better way to learn the language and customs of the area quickly.  All of these experiences will help him serve more effectively.

He really loved his first area, as hard it was for him to leave there, he will grow to love this new area just as much.

.

Spring is here!  Shout hooray!

The days are getting warmer.  The birds are in full song.  Blossoms.  Sunshine.

And this week is Spring Break!  Yippee!  The kids are out of school.  No homework, no tests, no projects!

Every teacher who could slam a project on the kids this past week, did!

Now it's time for a much deserved break.

There are lots of reasons why I love Spring Break but one that is on the top of my love list is...

(drum roll, please...)

Only 11 weeks until school is OUT for Summer!

The weeks of school following Spring Break always fly by!  Summer will be here before we know it.

.

That thought warms my heart, soul and feet!

WORDS FROM NATHAN

 

¡¡¡¡Querida familia!!!!

¿Cómo andan? Parece que todo este muy bien! ... Ojala que sí!!! Estoy seguro que Dios está bendiciendoles en maneras maravillosas. :)

So, This week has passed  by sooo fast! I cannot believe how the time flies. Right now, we are focused a lot on Dario and his family. They are really wonderful people, but they do have many struggles.

.................

Entonces... I´d like to answer the questions that you put in my letters now :)
Please tell me some of your favorite things in Argentina thus far, I know the people are on top of the list but what else. ..... Well, I really like the laid back culture here. It seems to me that, in general, people are more relaxed, more tranquil, and the general feel of Argentina is much calmer. I love the humility- the people live much more simply here, but they live great... I also love the little stores that are everywhere. I love that everyone´s answer to "Que le gusta hacer?" is "Jugar futból y...." haha. And last of all, for this list, I love the art that is everywhere. There are many murals, almost all of which express a bit of Argentine culture.

Also, what are some to the things that have stood out to you that are starkly different from what you had in the States? First of all... is the dogs... There are dogs EVERYWHERE! haha... In close second comes... the Siesta! haha... I think the Siesta epitomizes the difference between the United States and Argentina. The Siesta is a representation of a relaxed culture. There is much more emphasis on the midday meal, and the siesta is sacred.
Third, is Mate... Everyone drinks mate all day long. The first drink offered to guests is Mate. The drink most fought over by siblings is mate. The drink most shared is mate... Haha... And there is a very particular way to drink the mate as well. First you need a special mate cup and straw... Then you boil water, Put mate and sugar in the cup, and then you pour in the hot water and drink until the Mate loses its flavor....
Fourth is the organization of the cities. Everything is much more compact. All of the houses in a block are connected... almost always. Everything is close and everyone lives in the city. The only people that live out of the city are those that tend to the animals in the campos... Modern day gauchos.
.........................
Are you doing any other acts of service? As of right now, we are helping the family to add a kitchen to their house. I helped hermano hueso to take a tree out of his yard and to pile it all up in the street. I keep looking for small acts of service to do to bless the lives of those around me, and I hope that I can find them.
How are the new members doing? The new members are doing great! They are learning a lot, and bringing many others into  the iglesia here. I am sure that they will be great members :)
Well, that´s me :) So, how about you guys... It sounds like you guys are all doing great... I can´t believe all of the wonderful things that you guys are doing! Congratulations Smash, on all of your great accomplishments. If I were to give you one bit of advice (having been in a situation very similar to yours, balancing everything) I would just say to write down your goals, all of them, for church, for school, for family, for coaching gymnastics, for track,  for refereeing soccer, and for your friends, and to number them by order of importance. Then, after that, you can put the amount of effort that you need to put for everything... You will be able to do even more, and you´ll do everything better... school included ;) It would probably be a good idea to invite advice from mom and dad to help you set your goals. Emily and Megan, I am sure you are doing great... Keep being wonderful young women, and set the example for everyone around you! 
I love you all!!

Con mi amor,

¡¡¡Hola Familia!!!

¿Cómo andan Ustedes? Bien, me parece... :) 

So, What´s been happening down here with me? Well, I did hear about the earthquake. Everyone down here has been talking about it all the time. We didn´t hear it here in Gral Pico, but many other Argentines did, from what I´ve been heard, all the way to Buenos Aires. I don´t know if all that I´ve been told is true, but from what I´ve been told, It seems a miracle to me that so few people died there, in comparison to what could have happened. It´s a bit scary for me to recognize all of the catastrophes that seem to be happening around me... Haiti, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Buenos Aires....

So, as to the work; All is well, and I am sure learning alot! This Sunday, Our President, President Detlefsen, came to Gral Pico, and we had a Fireside for the members. It was so wonderful. President Detlefsen is such an incredibly spiritual man... He is a very humble, very intelligent man. It is quite apparent to me that his heart is close to our Savior. I find it a marvelous blessing to serve under his leadership. 

Yesterday... We had a WONDERFUL day!!! We found 10 youth all sitting around drinking Mate, and even more exciting than that is that all 10 wanted to listen to us!... We really did find thousands in that moment!! Those ten youth, as they continue to listen, will grow up, will change their hearts, and will grow closer to their Savior, As this happens, they will then touch the hearts of many many more souls, and thousands will be brought unto Christ.  In addition, On Monday, we found 2 wonderful youth, Paola and Lucas. They are siblings that are going to the university here in Pico. The spirit when we were teaching them was incredibly powerful! I am sure that they will take the steps necessary to return to their Father in Heaven.  It is such a wonderful opportunity that I am enjoying right now. I have the opportunity to find the Children of God, feel His love for them, and help them to feel it too... I am so excited to be a part of this work, in every aspect.... I am growing so much, and I hope that I can continue to grow!

Well, I´ve almost finished 5 months here in my mission :( Time is flying by way too fast, But I´m loving it!! On this upcoming Sunday a new transfer will begin... Maybe I´ll stay here in Pico, or maybe I´ll take off, I won´t know until Saturday... But whatever happens, I´m excited!!

A SAMPLING OF THINGS FROM NATHAN

First a few excerpts from his most recent letter:

¡¡¡Querida familia!!!

Primero, Quiero decir... ¡¡Feliz Cumpleaños Megaroo!! 12, que loco, ¡¡No lo puedo creer!! Y ¡¡ Feliz cumpleaños Abuelo!! 74 y trabajando todavía... ¡Felicitaciones a los dos!

¡¡¡Les Amo!!! ¡Y estoy muy animado para saber que tantos cosas están cambiando por lo mejor allá! 

Change is a wonderful thing. I, myself have been pondering change a lot here in Argentina. Pride to humility, selfishness to charity, fear to faith, corruption to incorruption, sadness to joy, lust to love, stained to spotless, lost to found, mortality to immortality... These are all of the changes that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can work within us. Jesus Christ paid a special price with his sacrifice, the price of love, of virtue, of knowledge, of cleanliness, of faith, of all things good, and of eternity... Of change... With His payment, we can overcome all. We can become what God expects of us, and we can be joyful! What a wonderful thing. I hope that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can work sufficiently in my life to change me.

This past week has been filled with ups and downs. I had my first really disappointing day, but we also had many successes.

From his most recent letters it appears his Spanish is improving greatly.  Not that I am an expert in Spanish, I can read it through the Italian part of my brain, but his English is changing enough that I am sure he is quite comfortable with Spanish now.

Debbie in WA provided me with more photos!  Thanks, thanks, thanks to Debbie! 

Alright, so now I am going to say something that is such a typical "mom" thing to say...Nathan is just so cute, isn't he?!  Really, look at him in that 1st photo.  What a good-looking kid.

What makes me most happy though is how happy and tranquil he seems.  He seems radiant to me (is that okay to say about a young man?).

This next photo is NOT of Nathan. (wink!)

The family he lives by cooked a celebratory dinner for a birthday.  Fun!

I LOVE MOTHERS!

I do!

I love mothers because they understand other mothers.

I love mothers because they are generous and thoughtful!

The mother in WA (Debbie) came through again...

she shared photos with me!

I don't even have to meet her to know that she is a mother I would love!

Look at our Nathan!  Doesn't he look GREAT?!      (He is on the far right)

Below is a photo of his street and some awesome clouds that rolled in just before a storm. 

This makes me happy to have a better glimpse of where he is right now.  I can just picture him on these dirt roads - with a smile on his face and purpose in his walk.

I am so thankful to Debbie for sharing these with me.

And now,  a few excerpts from Nathan's most recent letter:

¡¡¡Hola Familia!!!

¿Cómo andan? ¿todo bien? ¡Aca en Argentina, todo está maravilloso! Estoy aprendiendo cada día, y Dios está ayudando me en muchisimos maneras! Yo sé que esta es el obra del Señor. Dios me ha mostrado esta cada día. Yo he visto milagros, y yo he crecido mucho... Nada tan buenísimo como esto puede venir de nadie, excepto por Dios.

Entonces... Mi semana; WOW!!!!!!!!!! Last P-Day, we traveled to Santa Rosa, and had Interviews with President Detlefsen. He is so spiritual!!! He helped me with many of the things that I have been struggling with... But the way he helped me was entirely led by the Spirit. It was exactly what I needed to solve the problems I´m having, and to be able to continue to do so... I know that he has been called of God to guide the missionaries here in Bahia Blanca. So, we returned to Pico on Friday, but then there was an emergency transfer this weekend. Our District Leader got transferred to the office and Elder Orosco moved in with us. He´s our new District Leader here in Pico, and he´s exactly what we need. He is an incredible leader. I hope that I can learn many things from him! He is so full of charity and is entirely focused on the purpose.... He has done and will continue to do marvelous things in this mission.

Belena and Roci have decided to be baptized!! Their Baptismal date is set for the 24th of this month!  They are so great! Their faith is incredible!! 

What a marvelous work this is, to work for God day in and day out.... to focus all of my efforts on building up the kingdom of God, and to be built up in return!

AN UPDATE ON OUR MISSIONARY

Nathan is doing well!

He sounds so happy.  He has had wonderful experiences recently.  He said that he feels he is being blessed in understanding the language; he said as he prays and asks for the Lord to help him understand what people are saying, he is able to understand everything.

That is a wonderful blessing.

He has seen lots of miracles occurring in the lives of others and he is recognizing them as such.

He is gaining great insights!

He is currently living in a rural area in a small home that I believe is adjacent to a family who watches over the missionaries.  He lives there with 3 other missionaries.  One missionary is from Washington, another from Peru and the other (I believe) is from South America, not sure where exactly yet.

He told us recently that his job as the new missionary to the area is to help prepare the feasts with the father of the family whose property they live on. 

When we spoke to him on Christmas, he told us that he was in charge of cleaning (plucking, gutting, etc.) and preparing the chicken for their Christmas dinner.  He wrote to us last week and told us that for the New Year's celebration he would this time be cleaning and preparing a "chancho."

A mother of the missionary from Washington pictured with Nathan below sent this picture to me!  Here is the 180 lb chancho!

I cannot tell you how happy and thankful I am to this woman in WA for sending me the photo! 

Isn't it great to see him?!  Doesn't he look awesome?!  I think I have looked at this 100,000 times already!

He hasn't been sending photos...imagine that!  My son!  No photos...

so I am very thankful to Debbie in WA!

I am also thankful that he took an anatomy course at college before he left, working on cadavers has to have helped prepare him for this, at least a little bit.

If you want to write to Nathan, here are some options:

Dear Elder.com (click for link)  This is a free service!  When you go on their site, you need to choose his mission, Bahia Blanca Argentina, and you will be able to send a letter right from there.  It's as easy as an email.

The church has a pouch system set up for missionaries, so you can send a letter to UT and they will get it to him.  These letters have to be one page only, no envelope.  They request that you tri-fold the letter and tape the back, address it as you would an envelope.  This is only the cost of a US stamp.  The address for that is:

Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission

POB 30150

Salt Lake City, UT.  84130-0150

To send packages, cards, or if you REALLY want to send a letter through the International Snail Mail:

Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission
Las Heras 124, Piso 1, Oficinas 1-3
8000 Bahia Blanca
Buenos Aires

Argentina

If you would like for me to forward a message to him from you, feel free to email me and I will send it to him for you!  jammen6@tx.rr.com

IN ARGENTINA

He made it!

We heard from him today, what a happy surprise!  I wasn't sure just when we would hear from him again.  It feels like Christmas nearly every day around here!  :)

Here are some excerpts from his first letter from Argentina:

¡¡¡HOla Familia!!!!

¿Qué tal? Estoy muy bien! Y pueden enviar el correo electronico a mí!!! ¿Cómo andan todos?

I am in a gas station right now, sending my email to you guys... Fun huh? Oh and the kids here love the missionaries so much... There are dogs everywhere... The drivers are  crazy, pero todo está bien. Estoy hablando con un chicito aquí . Su nombre es Franco y el tiene 12 años.

So, my new companion. His name is Elder Callacordo, and he is from Peru. He doesn´t speak any English, but that´s okay with me. Í can tell that the Lord is helping me to understand the language, and what a blessing. I would not have any idea what was going on  without the help of the Lord. Estoy muy animado para todo de Argentina.

My area. We are going to open a new area, a rama (branch) in Pico. We haven´t gotten there yet. We leave on the bus at 6 tonight. We should be in Pico tomorrow a las 10, pero I´m not sure. Sorry I can´t tell you more about my area. I don´t know anything yet!

The trip. LOOOOOOONG, but fun. I learned that Argentinians speak very much like the Italians... I couldn´t understand one bit of their conversation! haha... It´ll be okay. I´m sure of it. I am so happy to be here in Argentina!

¿Qué otro? Franco dijo que su familia es su parte favorita de Argentina. El tiene cinco personas en su familia. Y él va a servir un  misión! Hooray!! 

¿Qué otro?....the culture here is so different than the Estados Unidos... Pero I love it!!!! La gente aquí greet with a kiss. I can just see the cringe on Smash´s face right now! haha.

Well I´ve got to go to catch my bus to Santa Rosa! Les Quiero mucho!!! Voy a llamarles en la semana que viene para La Navidad!!! Hasta luego! Tenga un buen semana! I´ll be praying for you!

Con todo mi amor, para siempre,

HUDDLED AROUND MY CELL PHONE

ON THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR

for a couple of hours

while we talked with Nathan!

That is what our family did early this evening!

And oh, how sweet it was.

It was the best!  The best of the best, really.

The missionaries had permission to call home from the airport this evening before they departed for Argentina.  They left from the training center early this morning and will arrive in Argentina, Buenos Aires, at 9 AM tomorrow. 

After Nathan arrives in Buenos Aires, he will be put on a bus for Bahia Blanca.  He has been told that this bus ride can be any length of time between 3 and 24 hours, depending on the bus he gets on.  Hee, hee.  I can see him now, with his big suitcases, big brown eyes looking a bit like a deer caught in headlights, in 86 degree weather (I checked!), squished on a bus full of people (with armpits in his face) and traveling for who knows how long.

And you know, he will love it all!  Every bit of it.  He is so excited to get there and get working!

He had let me know that he had permission to call today and that it would be around 5 PM.  We had a lot of schedule arranging to do in order to get everyone home at 5. 

At 4:30 my cell phone rang, just after I dropped off Smash at his percussion lesson.  A strange number came up on my caller ID, when I answered, I heard "Hi Mom!"  

Hi Mom.  Two of my favorite words.  When I hear those two words, it means that one of my most favorite people is greeting me and is about to share something with me.

It was Nathan, calling early! 

Jonathan was on an important conference call, Emily was in sectionals for her french horn.  Meg had the night off of gymnastics and was working on homework. 

When I heard Nathan's voice on the other end of the phone, I thought my heart might just burst!  It felt like it had been forever since I had last talked with him.  Yet, it seemed as if it had only been a few days as well.  

I explained to him that everyone was planning on coming home early from their various activities in order to talk with him but that they weren't available yet.  Then I was really kind and considerate when I asked, "Should I call you back when they all come home?"  He replied, "No, I can just talk to you until they get there."

And so we did.

And it was beautiful.

And fun.

And Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! 

That is the best word I can think of at the moment to describe just how great it was.

But it got even better.

When everyone was home, we ran into the living room, sat on the floor in a circle around my cell phone.  With it on speaker, we all talked (and laughed) away!

He shared with us some wonderful experiences and a little Spanish as well.  He had lots of questions about how and what everyone was doing here at home and was genuinely interested.  He always is sincere in wanting to know how everyone is doing and feeling.  We had lots of questions for him as well.  It was an absolute treat to hear more about his experiences during the last two months.

He was so appreciative of everything, letters, packages, treats, etc.  Thank you to all of you who have done something for him.

He was also thankful for our prayers in his behalf.  He said he feels strengthened by them. 

How blessed I feel this evening.  I wish I could adequately describe to you how wonderful he sounded.  He seemed happier than ever before!

What a blessing for us all.  (Especially Nathan).

I could shout supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from the roof-tops!

 

ON PACKING

AT THIS TIME of year when goodies and treats are in abundance, you may have read the title and wondered why it states "On Packing" instead of "Packing It On!". 

This weekend my mind keeps returning to luggage and packing.  That may seem silly to you, who thinks of packing during the holiday season?  Well, that is..., other than those who may be traveling home or to a holiday destination...

We have no plans for travel but I can't stop thinking of packing.

Nathan leaves for Argentina on Monday morning and will arrive in Argentina on Tuesday morning.

Before he left here, I helped him pack. 

While we were packing up the belongings that would be his for the next two years, I taught him the art of packing. Oh yes, the art of packing. 

It was a sweet moment when I told him about my father teaching me the importance of proper packing, Air Force style, before I departed for Italy.

All of my things and my two suitcases were scattered about my room, the task seemed overwhelming.  In came my sweet father along with his hard-working hands to save the day.

He taught me proper rolling, not folding.  With every item of clothing neatly and nicely straightened, he began the rolling process.  He assured me that if done properly, they would not be wrinkled when I took them out of the suitcase.  He also assured me that what seemed impossible, fitting all of my belongings into two suitcases, was actually possible!

He, of course, was correct!  And I was amazed!  My dad still amazes me.  He's one of those people you wish would talk more because every time he speaks, it's good...really good.

He taught me where I should put particular items in order to best use the space allotted.  And therefore, gaining more space.  And it worked!

Since that day, I have always packed that way, his way.

So, while helping Nathan pack, I talked to him about how my dad taught me how to pack and that his way of packing totally saved me.

But with Nathan, the experience went a little differently.  We started out with everything around us needed to tackle the task at hand.  Then, he began bringing me items that had been forgotten.  While doing that he became distracted by all of the other things going on around him.  He wasn't staring at me or my wrinkled hands as I did my father.  He wasn't sitting next to me watching in awe of how amazingly well I can fit things into small and tight spaces as I did with my father so many years ago.

So, in the end, I was finishing his packing as he ran around the house from this thing to that, this place to that, this person to that.

I believe he did hear the helpful hints I gave to him.  (If he did, it will save him a bundle when he checks his bags!).

This weekend, I keep thinking of him and wondering if he has packed his bags? 

Did he roll his clothes? 

Did he think of me or my dad as he was packing?  

Knowing Nathan, he probably is not packed yet but he will be done when it counts most, when it's time to leave.

He is smarter than I am so he probably didn't need the packing tutorial the way I did. 

But I love so much that my dad taught me the art of packing, I have shared it with many, many people. 

And I can see him rolling my clothes and carefully placing them in my bags as if it were yesterday.

Now, after writing this, I wish I could pack up and go see the folks!

I know I've shared this photo of Nate with my folks before but I just love it!

AN ARRIVAL AND A DEPARTURE

The day has arrived (nearly).

He is cleared to enter Argentina!  Looks like he will receive his visa on time.

He departs for his assignment on MONDAY!

Monday!

Only a few days away, Monday!

His package is going to have to depart from here via overnight mail tomorrow!  (The one I have been working on with the music, etc...)

Oh, he is thrilled and excited.  I could almost hear the elation in his voice as I read his words today. 

Looking forward to his weekly Wednesday letters has felt like Christmas.

But after reading them, I have to wrestle with some very mixed emotions. 

I read and then read again and when I get a chance, I re-read.

Every word, every line.

Then I sit and wonder how he would follow up with all of the questions I have for him.  How I want to talk with him face to face and really communicate with him. 

In a world of instant feedback and constant communication, this is tough.

The day is nearly here, the day he has waited for since he was a young boy.  The day he will enter a foreign land and serve the people there as well as the Lord.  What a great blessing!

Although I am happy for him, and I am happy... and grateful, I miss him.

The reality of his departure has hit me tonight,

along with that,

the tears have arrived.

I miss Nathan.

And yet, I am happy for him.

Here is an excerpt from this week's letter:

¡¡¡Hola todos!!!

¿Cómo estáis? ¡Ojala que todo esté bien! ¡Os Amo!

Well, I'm heading out to Argentina on Monday (12-14) !!! Hooooooray!!! I'm so excited and I really can't wait!!

This morning I met with the consul from Argentina, and so all of my Visa stuff is taken care of! Hooray! I'm good to go for Argentina!!!

So, everyone, I just want you to know that I know that this work, the work that I'm out here doing, is the work of God. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and that He really does want the best for us. He blesses us and watches over us always. Because God loves us, He has given us prophets to guide us on our journey to return to Him.

I want you all to know that I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He came to Earth for us, He suffered and died for us, and, most importantly, He rose again for us. He is the way and the Life and, through Him, we can all find true happiness.

May he be blessed in his departure and even more blessed upon arrival into his new country, a land and people that will surely capture his heart as he gives his all in service for the next two years.

He will absolutely LOVE this time in his life! 

A FEW EXCERPTS FROM NATHAN'S LATEST LETTER

Hola Familia!!!!

¿Comó le vais? Estoy muy bien. Primero, me gusta a dar gracias a ustedes para sus cartas y su consejo. Yo aprendí mucho de esas cosas. Pues, Ojala que ustedes SEAN (haha) muy felices y que todo esta bien en Tejas. Gracias otra vez para su consejo y para los fotos. Yo tengo algunas fotos, pero yo he aprendido que nosotros no debemos enviarlos a través de email cuando nosotros estamos en el CCM (MTC). Pero cuando tengo más, enviará los fotos a ustedes en el mail.

Pues... I hope you know that I love you all... It is really pretty interesting how much my love has grown for you guys while I've been on my mission. Every day I think more about you all and hope you are doing well. I pray more for you guys than I ever have before, and God has helped me to love you more in simple ways every day.

Hmmm... So, this last week.... I have learned a lot- as always- but this last week was particularly special. I worked on simple acts of kindness and on serving others and have been blessed incredibly. God blessed me with the opportunity to give two blessings this week, and he has taught me much concerning his selfless love for each of his children, things that cannot be expressed with words. Many of the gifts that God has given me were enhanced this week, and I am blessed to know that I have been called of him and He loves me.

My roommates left for Mexico on Monday. I miss them a lot- They've both blessed my life so much.

This week I had the opportunity to share my farewell talk with several people, and in so doing, hearts have been healed and many have been brought closer to Christ. I am continuing to learn more about why God gave me the experience I had at State.

IN HIS BROTHER'S SOCKS

ON A TYPICAL MONDAY MORNING,

maybe not quite typical,

(is there a typical Monday morning?)

during Red Ribbon Week at school,

the theme for the day was crazy sock day - "Rock your socks off!"

The week long theme: "A life without drugs rocks!"

Smash came into the kitchen wearing Nathan's orange and white candy striped socks. 

The socks Nathan and his wrestling buddies bought last year to wear (for fun) during certain wrestling matches.  The same socks that the district outlawed after the first match where the guy that Nathan creamed beat on the mat complained that he lost the match to Nathan because the socks were a distraction.  Ha, ha!  

It wasn't all that long ago that Smash and Nathan would squabble over socks (ordinary white socks); each feeling the other had wronged him in the sock department somehow...

To see Smash "rockin' the socks" on Monday morning made me happy.

He has also been seen in Nathan's old church shoes, yes they fit but barely, he is quickly growing out of them...which Nathan couldn't believe.  I think Nathan was worried that his younger (little) brother may be his younger (bigger) brother when he returns in two years.  

And that isn't all. 

Smash wears Nathan's shirts to school.

He is the new owner of Nathan's old iPod and has this badge of honor hanging from his ears regularly.

He has claimed Nathan's room as his territory; he hasn't moved all of his things in yet but he is more than content to sleep in Nate's old bed.

So, Smash has a bit of Nathan with him almost always. 

It can be a comfort to carry tangible reminders of the ones we love.

I love that I get to be around to witness it with my boys...

socks and all!

ABSOLUTE SWEETNESS!

Little Miss Megan.

After receiving Nathan's letter, I printed it and placed it on the kitchen table for all to see as they came home.

I brought Meg home from gymnastics at 8:30 PM and had sort of forgotten that his letter was there. 

I was busy in the kitchen warming her dinner when I heard a rather loud gasp followed by a squeal!

Quickly I turned to see what was wrong with my little girl.

There she was standing over Nathan's letter, absolutely beaming and grinning from ear to ear.

As she caught my eye she said,

"Mom! It's from Nathan!"

Then she giggled and giggled as she read the beginning.  Smiled the whole way through, and gave an "Aww" at the end.

Oh, his letters mean so much and bring such sweetness.

To all of us.

HE IS IN HIS ELEMENT

AND HAPPY, happy, happy.

We heard from Nathan, what a thrill!

While he is on his mission he will have one day (preparation day) to do laundry, write home, etc.  He only has a short time assigned to him to use the computer and send us an email while in the training center.  (Not sure yet if he will have that option in Argentina).  So his letter was short but it was full of happiness.  I hope his letters will become more detailed but I recognize that they might not.  He is busy.  Just hearing from him and hearing that he is doing so well is enough.

Here is a little of what he had to say:

"I love it up here. I'm still getting used to the schedule, and still don't have a clue where anything is, but at least I'm learning a lot. My companion Elder Bills and I get along really well. Luckily, he doesn't get lost as easily as me, so we get to all of our classes on time. ;) I love the atmosphere here. The spirit here is so incredibly strong, and I bet that I have the best district ever! My companion and I were tested to move into a higher level Spanish class, and we passed, but that was kind of bittersweet for the two of us, because we would have had to leave our district behind. I guess that God has a plan for us, because the upper level classes are overflowing, so there is no room for us. Even though I know that my Spanish would probably have improved more rapidly in the upper class, I was ecstatic to learn that I would be staying with my district. Fortunately, both my companion and I are on the same level as far as the language goes and I'm sure we'll be able to progress rapidly."

For those who are unfamiliar with missionary life, upon arrival he was placed with a group of missionaries (referred to as a district) and they work together, learn, eat, and will likely travel together.  They are each paired with a specific missionary (called a companion) and they usually become quite close as they work together on everything.  

In his district there are 12 missionaries, all will be serving in Argentina. 

In his letter, he also shared some of his feelings in Spanish.  Really sweet.

He is growing already.  I can tell that he is taking in as much as possible from this tremendous experience.

.

.

So glad we finally heard from him, I was beginning to think I might have to travel again and become a missionary stalk-arazzi if we didn't hear from him soon...       :)

I'VE BEEN AVOIDING

 
AND I'M PRETTY SURE

that I am not the only one who has noticed.  :)

*

This has been difficult.

*

I don't want it to be difficult because it is also a great blessing and privilege.

Bittersweet.

Saying goodbye was hard, much harder than other goodbyes.  Each goodbye, from Kindergarten - College, seems now to have been a stepping stone which led to this one.  

It's the distance, the inaccessibility, the unknown, and let's face it - two years feels like a long time, that all lends to the feeling of sadness.

I haven't been able to post the photos yet, seeing them still turns me into mush but today is the day.

There is now a hole in our family that can only be filled by Nathan.  Honestly, shouldn't it be that way?  

But our family is changing and growing; it's a beautiful thing that this is how our change is beginning.

So, yes there have been lots of tears, from me (and Emily).

Yet, I feel a sense of peace knowing that he is giving these two years to live beyond his known abilities and his comforts in order to serve our Lord and the people of Argentina.

He was so very ready and excited to get going.  His time at home before he left felt like torture to him, he just wanted to begin his mission.  His slight obstacles did not get him down, I am grateful for that.

All of the things I had hoped would happen before he left really didn't happen.  I had such high hopes and expectations for that precious time.  But with one thing after another happening and too much sickness in the house, those expectations of mine had to be forgotten. 

However - the last day he was home, we had a mini Thanksgiving dinner (poor Jonathan was too sick to join us) for Nathan and he opened a few Christmas presents.  All were items he needed for his mission but he didn't know I had them - and they were wrapped!  He was happily surprised.

Meg could not hug Nathan enough before he left!

We were super busy while we were in UT.  We had no down time, we were going full speed, non-stop!  We did fit in a couple of fun dinners though.

Jonathan's parents met us for dinner just after we arrived in SLC.  They told Nathan some funny personal stories, he thoroughly enjoyed those. 

Tuesday night we went to dinner with my niece, Karen and her husband, Tyler (I like to refer to him as my newest nephew), our friend Kilee and Nathan's friends from college: Holly, Jordan and Brian.  Talk about impressive young adults!  I enjoyed that dinner so much.

I failed to take photos of either dinner though and I feel sad about that!  Sorry, everyone!  Clearly my head was not in the game!

We also really missed Jonathan.  Jon, I wish that you could have been there for everything, it would have been so nice to have you with us.

And then it was time to say goodbye, or rather "See ya later."

First Nathan had to tease me about my shoes...which I am sorry you cannot see in the pictures, they are cute!

But I let him know that no matter how "girly" my shoes seemed, I could still pick him up while wearing them...and then I did.  (Even though he tried really hard to stay grounded!)

BEWARE:  Lots of photos to follow...if you are sick of us, turn back now!

Good thing he can't see these, he would start teasing me about my "big mouth" too!  :}

On Tuesday, we shared a really delicious caramel apple together; the caramel was covered in white chocolate and then rolled in cinnamon sugar.  Oh my!  He took the first bite and didn't get any apple.  He told me to take a big enough bite that I would get some apple with the caramel mixture, when I did, half the apple came with it!  My face had caramel, chocolate and cinnamon sugar all over it!  The apple was juicy which made for even more mess.  Nathan laughed and laughed about that!  He could not stop teasing me about my big mouth.  (It really is big!) 

And here is that big mouth again!  But notice that he did get off the ground (a little).

My sister kept clicking away with the camera while we were interacting.

So beautiful there!  The colors on the hills were refreshingly vibrant. We are across the street from where I had to drop him off.

Fixing his tie.

"Love you, Nathan.  You will do great things." 

 

Two new missionaries in the photo - flanking the left and right, Nathan on the right.  The other two young men are helping with luggage. 

SAYING GOODBYE

WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HARDER

without these favorite people of mine.

My sister, her daughter and my parents all traveled to spend a little time with Nathan and say goodbye.

Having them there meant a lot to Nathan and made a huge difference for me.

Nathan was certainly sent off with lots of love!

 

WE LOVE OUR MISSIONARY!

Doesn't he look incredibly happy?! 

.

THANK HEAVEN FOR GOOD FRIENDS

OUR FRIEND, LORI, CAME BY

(the morning Nathan and I left) in order to capture OUR FAMILY together in ONE photo!

I don't know if she knows just how thankful I am for that!  The week before Nathan left was terrible.  Smash was sick, I was sick, Emily felt sick, and then it hit Jonathan too!  Only Nathan and Megan remained healthy.  It was a difficult and disappointing week.

Lori literally snapped away right up until we loaded luggage into Ginger's car.  (Thanks Ginger for the fast ride!)

Jonathan was so sick, he had contracted the dreaded flu and I felt terrible asking him to pose for photos but he wanted to try; he too wanted our family in one shot all together.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Lori, did you wave a magical photoshop wand on Jonathan?  He was SO sick and he doesn't even look it!  His eyes look tired and a little drawn but only because I know what they normally look like, I don't think others would notice.

We were able to venture outside next to our home for a few shots outdoors.  Thanks for hanging in there Jon, I know you felt terrible!  And Lori, thanks for taking time out of your day with your precious kids to see us off, take some photos and make us so happy!

WANT TO SEND NATHAN A LETTER?

PLEASE DO!

He would love to hear from you.

Here is his address at the training center in UT.  At the training center he will be studying Spanish, learning about the culture and how to teach and help the people in Argentina.  He will be there for the next two months and then off to Argentina!

MTC Mailbox # 236
ARG-BABL 1214
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

He received his first (care) package from us yesterday, probably within a few hours from when he arrived.  We will hear from him via e-mail on his preparation day, not sure when that day will be but I can't wait!

Please, please feel free to send him a letter, I know that letters from family and friends are greatly appreciated.

NATHAN'S CALL HAS ARRIVED!

You are probably wondering where he will be serving his mission...

me too!

 

I held it in my hands;

trembling with excitement.

 

Beyond the thrill of any Christmas but very much the same anticipation of my own assignment arriving in the mail (in 1986). 

After a phone conversation with Nathan where I verified that HE wished to be the one to open the letter...(I begged and pleaded for him to allow me to just take a peek...)

we rushed to FedEx for an overnight delivery!

Honestly, I had to get that thing out of my hands! 
It was becoming such a temptation for me. 

He will have his call by NOON today.  Guaranteed. 

The letter has arrived in Salt Lake...in fact, here is the path it has taken according to FedEx tracking:

Jul 11, 2009 5:35 AM

At dest sort facility

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Jul 11, 2009 3:53 AM

Departed FedEx location

MEMPHIS, TN

Jul 11, 2009 12:29 AM

Arrived at FedEx location

MEMPHIS, TN

Jul 10, 2009 8:25 PM

Left FedEx origin facility

ADDISON, TX

Jul 10, 2009 5:38 PM

Picked up

ADDISON, TX

Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM

How I wish we could be with him today.  We were just there.  We were with him on Tuesday evening.  We arrived home late Thursday night with the letter from the First Presidency arriving in the mail Friday afternoon.  We will see him open his letter via SKYPE, however, I wish it could be opened via IN PERSON.

No matter how we learn about where he will be serving for the next two years, we are thrilled for him. 

Here is a look at the path this letter took BEFORE arriving at FEDEX.

  

 

 

 

Thanks FedEx for taking that off our hands!

*** Update!  It's nearly there!  10:13 AM: 

According to the FEDEX SITE!

 

Jul 11, 2009 9:08 AM

On FedEx vehicle for delivery

OREM, UT

 

Jul 11, 2009 7:51 AM At local FedEx facility