Happy birthday to Grandma
Lucy tomorrow—she’ll be 91, to Aunt Mary on the 19th, and Joseph Smith on the
23rd
Dear Family,
We opened our mission call
on Amy’s birthday, 17 May, exactly 7 months ago. And our departure date is finally
here! By the end of this week I better understood the experience of Ammon and
King Lamoni when their “heart was swollen within” and they “sunk with joy”
being “overpowered by the Spirit.” A steady accumulation of joyous, emotional,
spiritual experiences require rest and plenty of sleep to rejuvenate the soul.
By the time we loaded the car on Friday night and left Jessica behind to finish
cleaning the fridge and moving our freezer contents to her house, I was
emotionally drained. Happy and sad simultaneously.
This week we experienced
the sadness of saying good-bye, as well as the excitement of leaving for the
MTC. Last Sunday we took Christmas treats to all our visiting teaching and home
teaching friends. Monday evening we met with our FHE group one last time. They
were all so melancholy. One friend gave us new bathroom supplies because “you
deserve a rug that no one else’s toes have touched.” Tuesday was Josh’s last
Kiwanis lunch meeting and goodbyes to his stake presidency (he gave them each a
copy of Durrant’s story “That Thine Alms May Be in Secret").
Wednesday was my last
class, last final exam, and last time to submit grades. Both a relief and a
heartache. Then my stake Relief Society presidency met for lunch one last time,
which was hard. We made a great team and learned to love each other and we’ll
miss our association. That night was the Beehive prime rib dinner with more
tears and goodbyes. The credit union gave Josh a very nice golf club and other
nice gifts, including a 2-pound box of Florence’s chocolates! Josh has served
on the board for 15 years and during that time assets have grown from $60
million to $249 million so he feels good about his service. Josh stayed for a
board meeting, to install the new chair, and Jessica was at the house when I
got home, ready to help with more packing.
Friday morning I submitted
my last report to my department chair while Josh turned in my keys and parking
permit. Sister Hawker stopped by and told me this story, “When I was young my
uncle dropped off my 5-year-old cousin to stay with us. My uncle turned to
leave and I asked my uncle, ‘Aren’t you going to say good-bye to him?’ and he
said, ‘No, I’ll see him in a week.’ My young cousin was killed that Friday in a
farming accident. So I’ve learned to always say, ‘Goodbye. I love you.’” And
she did say, “Goodbye. I love you.”
I dropped off my checkout
sheet at HR and we made it to the movie theater to see the 11:30 am showing
of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. We needed a moment to catch our
breath after our emotional week, and we wanted to see the show before we were
set apart that afternoon. Jessi and her children met us at the stake offices,
and the Dexters were both there. President Erickson even mentioned serving with
Josh in the Elders Quorum Presidency as he praised him for his example and
faithfulness. Our experience was sweet and extra special to have the Badillos
join us. I suppose not many people turn in their keys at work and get set apart
the same day.
Max helped Papa Josh load
the Jeep, like playing a game of Tetris to fit all the boxes and suitcases. We
didn’t leave Rexburg until 8 pm, and Aidan called Papa back from the door and
asked if we could do one last cheer of “Sure do love ya!” Which made us all
teary-eyed. Josh was right to be anxious in getting away because in the morning
it had snowed 3-4 inches so we beat the storm. Leaving Jessica to tidy up.
Whew! What a week!
Saturday we enjoyed
watching Sky View varsity and JV play in a tournament in Preston—we love
watching Matt coach the boys. On a quick run to town we saw Kevin and Cathy in
Sam’s! Today Matt was released as counselor in the YSA bishopric and Amy led
the Primary children in singing a medley of “I Wonder When He Comes Again”
(Grandma Ella’s all-time favorite Primary song) and “Joy to the World.” What a
treat. We’ve enjoyed Christmas goodies, holiday movies, and darling
decorations. So glad we could make a stop on our way to Provo.
Loads of fun family holiday
activities this week. Becca’s holiday showcase was yesterday in Elko. The
pictures look amazing! Rachel’s girls played the piano at a senior center. When
the choir sang today in Alabama, 7-year-old Joey went up and sang with his mom
and dad. Hiram’s family left money the neighbor’s mailbox (the family who had a
fire), and the note included Matthew 4:6, “That thine alms may be in secret.”
Then the kids picked a name and shopped for that child, with Alanna teaching
them at the self-checkout about the budget for the service and how to make the
wisest selections to fill the child’s wish list. We’ve delighted in hearing
tales of the service with which our children and grand-children are doing their
part to “Light the World.” Alanna earned straight A’s in her graduate classes
this semester, with one professor asking to keep her reading journal to show
the department chair. Congrats to Alanna! During the school break Hiram hopes
to finish the sheetrock for their upstairs room—he’s already moved light
fixtures, framed in the closet, and purchased the window blind. Haleigh
celebrated the end of the semester—and finishing her MHR—by going on a cruise
with a good friend. Now just one more semester and she’ll have her MBA, too!
Please remember Jessica in
your prayers this week. She’s having her knee scoped on Wednesday. We’ll be in
the MTC and Lemuel has to work, so a dear friend is taking her to Idaho Falls
for the outpatient surgery. The doctor said she’ll be on crutches for five
days, which takes her right to Christmas.
Enjoy the holidays! “For
unto us a child is born!” (Isaiah 9:6). Thank you all for your warm wishes as
we start our mission. Sure do love ya, Karen/MOM
