Another great week, it was good to have some of the cousins and Alan and Jeanne with us for a few days.
Jessie's baptism was a great event. Despite the fact that we've only been here a short period of time, it was truly impressive to have the support of our ward members. I anticipated that it might just be our family and a few of our missionaries, but we filled the entire relief society room. Jessie had Gma say a prayer, Gpa do the talk on baptism and me give the talk on the Holy Ghost. I really tried to make it personal for Jessie. Lily gave the closing prayer. I had ordered a dress for Jessie but unfortunately it didn’t show up. L Although I was sad it didn’t come it helped me realize what the day was all about…..The Baptism ordinance. It really was a special day for baby J.
Each Monday I meet with the AP’s and the sister training leaders with Aaron. It is always a great meeting. Jeanne got to join us today which was fun. Jessie and I went to the doctor today because her ear has been bugging her for the past two weeks. Dr. Danzinger was very pleasant and helpful. As I suspected Jessie has swimmer’s ear which has caused an infection of the skin of the ear not the inner ear. She gave us a prescription to clear it up. While at Walgreen’s I picked up chest decongestion medicine for Zac. He has had a deep cough for the past week. He sounds like he’s a pack a day smoker. ;)
The kids, cousins and gma and gpa headed to the Friendswood zone’s P-day activities. While they headed there, I took Allie to the airport. It was just a bit more stressful this go around. Let I was so sad to have her leaving again but I also know this is not only a good growing experience for her but me as well. Unfortunately we left late for the airport but on top of that I had taken the jeep with no EZ tag so gpa could drive the others to the pday activity. An EZ tag is important when driving on the freeways. It allows you to go on toll roads prepaid. Without the EZ tag you either pay as you go or get fined steeply for not having one. I didn’t realize my mistake until I had gone through and EZ tag lane. Luckily between Allie and I we had enough money to pay for two tolls but that slowed us down. We needed all the time we could get. I also was fearful of the fine I incurred. I heard it is over $150. YIKES. So I frantically called Aaron and talk to our transportation service missionary. He was going to take steps to hopefully eliminate the fine. So we finally made it to the airport with 20 minutes until the doors close. Way too close for the both of us. I had Allie jump out and run for the security line. Luckily she got through quickly but she took a wrong turn once through. I had stayed curbside just to make sure she got on the plane. A few minutes later she called me crying saying she had went the wrong direction and that they were calling her name on the PA system. Oh the stress! I tried calmly to reassure Allie that she would make it. Although she would tell you at points I was not helping. I am happy to say she made it to the gate before they closed the door. WHEW! Can you say stressful? We will never leave late to the airport again. Oh and I now have an EZ tag for the jeep for the future just in case I am ever in that situation again. :)
Tuesday we headed to Galveston for a beach day with the cousins. Everyone needs to experience this warm water paradise. I kind of like the beach here. We went to the Dellanerra RV beach again. The water was just as warm, not as many fish jumping but it was by everyone. Even gma got in and really did enjoy the water. J It was a great day at the beach! We packed up to go home, grabbed some Chic-fil-a for dinner and then headed to the airport. Two days in a row to send kids off on a plane is hard on this mom. ;)
On Thursday evening we had a great meeting this week on hastening the work together with two stakes and our missionaries. There was a need felt by the two stake president’s and Aaron to make sure the ward mission leaders and our missionaries know how to work together more effectively. The stake ran the meeting and the high councilman responsible for missionary work lead out. It should be surprising to hear that many of our full-time missionaries and our ward mission leaders aren't well connected, but sadly this is the case. At the meeting, they reviewed how they should interact, bring in the ward mission plan, use the investigator progress records in PEC and Ward Council, and make sure they are communicating often. I think both the ward mission leaders and the missionaries felt this was very beneficial to move the work forward together.
On Friday I actually helped Aaron with his Zone Leader meetings he was holding all week with the different zones. During the training they talked about the importance of teaching the restoration with the spirit. As apart of the training, Aaron had each of them teach a principle, as a group they would highlight the great things they did and then council together on what we could do to improve. As they learned to teach with power and with the Spirit across our mission, the Lord will trust us to find those that are ready. They only get one chance to make a first impression and when they teach the way we're supposed to the Lord will open up the windows of heaven. So the last activity they each teach a principle from the restoration lesson to an investigator. I played the investigator that day. I had way too much fun being a single mom, with three kids, living in a van down by the river. :)
It really is strange to be empty nesters this week with the kids in Utah. Give them a big hug for us our house is way too quiet. I need more whining, neediness, and chaos. It just doesn’t feel normal. ;) Have a great week in Utah!