Doing Better

One handed typing is for the birds, which means this post won't be long. So I apologize to those of you who don't know the whole story.

I went to the Orthopedic doctor today, and he does not believe my elbow is broken! Just badly bruised. I tend to agree, since it's not painful to the touch, and I can already move it more than I could move it on Saturday. So, no more nasty, uncomfortable splint for me! He put my arm in a sling, but told me to start using it lightly. I'm just glad that my idiotic fall did not cost me a broken elbow!

Scott Must Have a Double

Scott was absent from school today. All day. I just got a message from the school informing me that Scott was absent from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th periods today. I guess his doppelganger was there for 1st and 7th periods!

True Faith

Jeffrey's Mission President and wife (the ones he will have when he actually gets to Mexico), have a blog. Today I read a story that was so uplifting, I had to share it. It was shared by a sister missionary and translated by the Mission President. Here it is:

Last week was very beautiful. Hermana Vergara and I forced ourselves even more. I want to tell you about Hermana Araceli who was baptized 2 weeks ago. During that week she told us that her work is that she sold bread and took home only 20 pesos [that is about 15 cents]. She wanted to make tamales so that she can make more money, but she needed a steamer. We told her that we would look around with her and try to find a cheap steamer.

She wanted to pay her tithing and asked us for an envelope. I gave her one. This Sunday we were surprised. She came late and and was not able to take the sacrament. She wept about that. So, she waited for the next ward to start and stayed for the first 15 minutes so that she could receive the sacrament. While she was waiting, a member approached us and said that he wanted to give Araceli a ride home. When she got there, she received a new steamer from the ward, money to make tamales and other things. (This is a very good result of an excellent ward council in which we presented her case.)

We could see Araceli's sincere desire to pay her tithing of 2 pesos and then receive much more that the 10%. SHE RECEIVED MUCH MORE!!!!!!! She will remember this experience all her life. It is a beautiful testimony that the Lord knows our needs and helps us to grow according to the desires of our hearts. Araceli is a true convert. This is the Lord's perfect church and He works among those who have faith.

How I wish I could have the faith of Sister Araceli.

Feeling a Little Gypped

Moms of missionaries look especially forward to four days (not including the day their sons come home) - each of the two Mother's Days and each of the two Christmases. On those four days, we get to talk to our sons.

I remember how excited I would get when Brian was on his mission and one of those days was approaching. I couldn't wait to hear his voice and hear about his mission. I didn't really care what else happened those days - Brian's phone calls were what I was waiting for!

Well, today is Mother's Day, and I have another son on a mission. But I won't be getting a phone call from Jeffrey. He's in the MTC, and there is no way, logistically, for all the missionaries in the MTC to get to call home.

I realize I just dropped him off a week and a half ago, but I still feel a little sad. I mean, lets face it, with just me and Scott at home, it's not like this is going to be a very exciting Mother's Day anyway. A phone call from Jeffrey would have made the day much better.

I have heard he should get to call me from the airport when he flies from the MTC to Mexico at the end of June. I guess I will just have to wait for that.

Travel Tip

At the Salt Lake City Airport we made our mandatory trip through Security. I noticed that the guard manning the x-ray machine was spending a fair amount of time looking at my black tote bag. I didn't know why, since it contained the same items that had been in it on the way from Houston to Salt Lake City, with the addition of two ceramic tiles. I didn't think those would send any danger signals. She let my bag go through, but said she wanted to send it back through again. The second time through, she looked some more, then called another guard over to manually search my bag.

I was led over to a table, where the guard proceeded to swab the inside of my bag and run it through a machine to test for drugs. He then started taking things out of my bag - books, the tiles, and my makeup bag (which he also went through). He then pulled out the root of all the trouble. The item which had looked suspicious on the x-ray machine. This:

What is it, you ask? Well, it's a device you hook to your suitcase so you can weigh it and make sure it weighs less than 50 pounds. It's really quite a handy device.

The problem? When going through the x-ray machine it looks suspiciously like a Taser. And, as we all know, tasers are forbidden in your carry on luggage.

I assured the guard that from now on I would put the device in my suitcase when I was through with it. No more possible tasers in my carry on bags!

I wasn't bothered at all by the encounter. I'm glad the guard manning the x-ray machine was on the ball enough to have noticed the device in my luggage. Better safe than sorry! I'm just wondering why the guard in Houston didn't catch it...

MTC Day!

Wednesday was the big day! The day Jeffrey entered the MTC! We (Jeffrey, my sister, and I) drove from Salt Lake City down to Provo. When we got to Provo, we went to eat at IHOP. On Wednesdays guys entering the MTC eat for free (up to $10.99). Jeffrey took full advantage of that by ordering the Big Country Breakfast - a small chicken fried steak, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and pancakes! And he finished almost all of it! Here he is anxiously waiting for his food to come.

It was fun going to IHOP because there were other families there, and we were all excited to talk to one another. We actually met another guy going to Jeffrey's mission! That was nice.

After IHOP, and a quick stop at the Missonary Mall to buy Jeffrey a sweater (it was cold in Utah), we headed to the MTC. Here is Jeffrey standing across the street from the MTC (or at least one of the buildings). It's a surprisingly large place.
After taking a few pictures, we drove over to the MTC. They have changed the way missionaries are dropped off. You used to go in for a meeting, but now you just drop them at the curb. When I first heard that, I was disappointed. I wanted to go in for a meeting, like we got to do with Brian. But now that I have done both ways, I think I prefer this way. It's less emotional. And it's kind of cool, because as you drive along, there are missionaries lining the road, ready to greet the incoming missionaries and help them with their bags. That was a lot of fun.

After being told to pull over to the curb, we got Jeffrey's bags out of the trunk, gave him more hugs, and then he left. Here he is, walking off with his helper/guide.
My sister and I then got back in the car and drove out of the MTC, waving at all of the missionaries as we drove along. Leaving Jeffrey behind to begin his mission.

So far I'm doing okay. I'm not sure it has really sunk in yet. It will probably hit me next week. It's a good thing GNO is coming up.

Promised Pictures!

As I mentioned in my previous post, we were fortunate enough to meet President Uchtdorf on the day before Jeffrey went in the MTC. I'm now posting the pictures I took when we met him.

Here he is by himself. He was talking to another family, and I was able to snap a picture of him. I realize he's an Apostle of the Lord, but I have to say, he's a very distinguished looking man!

Here he is with my sister and I. I, of course, hate how I look in the picture, but I will treasure it always anyway.
And my favorite picture. President Uchtdorf and Jeffrey. What better way for my son to start his mission then to be told by an Apostle to work hard and always do what his CTR ring says.
I will be sending Jeffrey a copy of this picture in a few days. It will be nice for him to have on his mission.

There will also be a copy on my hall table full of pictures.