Bonus Phone Call!

Jeffrey was supposed to leave the MTC this coming Monday, heading for Mexico. Unfortunately the Mexican government is a little slow about giving visas, so he wasn't sure he would actually be leaving on Monday. I got an e-mail from him today saying he and 15 other elders were leaving the MTC on Friday - heading for the Salt Lake City South Mission! They are being temporarily assigned there until their visas come in. I know he would rather be headed to Mexico but he is very excited to be going somewhere!

His e-mail also said he would be calling me tonight. I had to be up at the church to make sure Scott had all of his stuff for Philmont, so I left a strange message on our answering machine. I bascially told Jeffrey to call my cell phone if no one answered the phone.

My message worked! My cell phone rang at a little before 8:00, and it was Jeffrey! We only got to talk for 5 minutes, but it was wonderful to hear from him. He told me he's loving his mission, and he's so excited to be sent out to the field. He's hopeful that his time in Salt Lake will be short and he will be sent to Mexico soon.

Things don't always run smoothly, but the work continues to go forth. I'm happy my son is so positve about this situation and anxious to go serve somewhere!

Flag Day

I love our country. I love all things patriotic. I love our flag. In honor of Flag Day, a picture and a poem.

Flag of the Free

Walter Taylor Field

Look at the flag as it floats on high,

Streaming aloft in the clear, blue sky,

Rippling, leaping, tugging away,

Gay as the sunshine, bright as the day,

Throbbing with life, where the world may see -

Flag of our country, flag of the free!

What do we see in the flag on high,

That we bare our heads as it passes by,

That we thrill with pride, our hearts beat fast,

And we cheer and cheer as the flag goes past -

The flag that waves for you and me -

Flag of our country, flag of the free?

We see in the flag a nation's might.
The pledge of a safeguard day and night,
Of a watchful eye and a powerful arm
That guard the nation's homes from harm.
Of a strong defense on land and sea -
Flag of our country, flag of the free!
We see in the flag a union grand,
A brotherhood of heart and hand,
A pledge of love and a stirring call
To live our lives for the good of us all -
Helpful and just and true to thee,
Flag of our country, flag of the free!

Flutter, dear flag, o'er the lands and seas!

Fling out your stars and your stripes to the breeze,

Righting all wrongs, dispelling all fear,

Guarding the land that we cherish so dear,

And the God of our fathers, abiding with thee,

Will bless you and trust you, O flag of the free!

Happy Flag Day. Long may it wave!

A Blast From My Past

On Memorial Day Kimberly and I went to Best Buy. We were perusing the television shows when I saw this:

Oh, how I loved that show! It started in 1975, when I was 15. Just the perfect age to develop a HUGE crush on Paul Michael Glaser, also known as Starsky. (And for those of you not in the know, Starsky is the dark haired, more attractive one - no offense Hutch. At least in the TV show Starsky was more attractive. I'm not sure I can say the same about the movie.)

Since Kimberly still owed me half a Mother's Day present, and since I was salivating over the DVD, she bought it for me. She's such a good daughter! I've now watched the first 4 episodes, and you know what? I still love it! It's a bit dated, and some of the characters are over the top caricutures, but I don't care! It's Starsky! And his awesome Gran Torino!

I still have 19 more episodes to watch on Season 1. Then I will probably head to Best Buy to get Season 2. Then Season 3. Then Season 4.

It's going to be a fun TV summer!