September Birthdays- Super Belated

Happy 21st Birthday to my Outpatient. I am so grateful for you.

Happy Birthday to Kristy
Happy Birthday to Mike
Happy Birthday to Les
Happy Anniversary to David and Ashleigh
Happy Birthday to Mark

Tender Mercies Tuesday

I survived payroll this week. Major accomplishment since I had to go it alone, was way behind due to the many events of last week, and was so stressed out by it last time.

I finally got a whole night of sleep since the night before Outpatient returned.

I found out how to make beans- the Brazilian way- and made them mostly successfully tonight. Now I have to learn how to do rice. And churassco.

I got Outpatient to clean out the storage unit. Finally. Not finally that he did it- finally that it is done. I have to go through a lot of stuff still, but at least it is now at a rent free location.

The DR came home last night, and realizing that I was stressed and trying to finish payroll, he set the kids to their tasks and he totally cleaned my kitchen. He is awesome.

The most tender mercy is the many friends and family who come to my assistance.

Thanks!

Weekend Wrap up-

What a wild weekend it was, too. Friday and Saturday were spent shopping and prepping. We borrowed just about every neighbors' patio furniture, extra tables, and chairs, plus a bunch from the church. We had about 80 chairs, and 10 tables or so, set up outside.


Saturday also meant a BYU game, many of the family went to that and drove here after, so it was a late night. Sunday morning started bright and early, with the Outpatient reporting his mission to the Stake High Council. They made me and the DR report as well! What? One of my thoughts was that I learned that I don't make a very good Hannah. We then came home and began getting all the patients and visitors ready for church. We also did a little more prep for the meal to come. At 11:00- we attended the DR's parents' ward, as they were speaking prior to leaving for their mission this week. I ran home in between to greet and direct my family to our building, where the Outpatient reported his mission to the ward. He decided maybe he was nervous after all. It is a bit different speaking to a congregation of people you barely know, than speaking to a congregation of friends and family that fills the chapel and back into the gym. He did awesome.


There was a somewhat wayward young man (V) that came, which really touched my heart. Outpatient and the DR had been his family's hometeachers prior to the mission, and Outpatient never forgot him. V had been on house arrest at the time, and the Outpatient would go take pictures of V riding his bmx in his backyard and making cool stuff for V from the pictures. Outpatient also wrote V while on his mission, and V came to hear Outpatient speak. He (outpatient) made a difference in V's life.


We also had some awesome friends come (one even came from Oregon :) ) It was a wonderful outpouring of support and love for Outpatient. Many of his friends are either still gone on missions or married and away from the area- but we still had a lot there.


After the meeting, we hurried home, and began to get food out and finish all the final prep stuff, and began feeding people promptly at 3:00- We figured that we fed between 120 and 130 people! That is a lot of people in my house. Fortunately, we kind of had them come in shifts so we had a pretty solid line coming through for two hours, but that was better than all of them at once.

"Elder Fuller", "Elder Robles", Outpatient- Campinas Brazil Returnees

After that, we didn't even get a chance to visit with anybody, as we rushed off to be with the DR's parents while they were set apart as missionaries. We came home to a few young people still hanging around- but my kitchen had been straightened, most of the chairs were folded and stacked, dishes had been washed, food put away.





I tell you, I have the best neighbors and friends. The best. And my family is pretty darn awesome too.

Faces on Facebook

As you may know, I have a job where I get to work from home. I do data entry for crews that work in various states. I see names on production sheets, have exchanged more than a few emails with many of the employees, even talk to them on the phone occasionally, and without exception, I have never seen them in real life. I can't even think that I have ever even tried to picture what they may look like that I can think of. I just haven't given it any thought- even when I am frustrated with someone's inability to fill out paperwork correctly. I really don't care what they look like, just that they get their job done.

Today (tonight) has changed all that. I joined Facebook- don't ask me why. I looked it over and I can't really see why I would want to use it. I am not really interested in reaching out and touching someone from my past- those I want to get in touch with, I usually have been a little.

I have only added some of my family members to this point. What I do not get, is how on earth, the minute I set up my account, this list of "friends" pops up, with a bunch of names and pics of these people I deal with for work, some real friends, and some family, plus a bunch of people from Small Town, my high school days- I have not put in any mailing list of anything- IT IS CREEPY! There were a few people that I didn't know- but most were people whom I did, and totally unconnected to each other. Anyone know how that works?

Anyway- to make a long process short, one of the options was one of my bosses, and I pulled his picture up- since I have never actually met him because he is in a different state. There among his friends were a bunch more of the people I do stuff for. I looked at every picture. It was fun to see what they looked like and to have a face with a name. Kind of crazy, really.

And, no, I don't think I will be adding many of them as friends- even if they ask nice.

Thankful

I am thankful.

I am thankful for my family. For the DR who makes me a much better person (at least he tries to help). For a son who for the most part has been a joy, and has made good choices that have not only affected his life, but many of his friends' lives as well. I am thankful for a son who was such an amazing gift to us from a loving Heavenly Father. For a daughter who was sent to join us on the heels of her brother, although I remember not being too grateful at the time- more like shocked. I am thankful for my "Mini- Me" daughter, who looks a whole lot like me, and has blessed us with her exuberant personality.

I am thankful for an extended family, that although we may have our moments, they are few, and they are so totally supportive of us and each other. I am thankful for my family- my mom and her example, my sisters and sister in laws and their friendships, my brothers- the one for his easier going, creative soul, the other for his help with my dad.

Mostly , I am THANKFUL to kneel in family prayer- all together. And to listen to my son pray in portuguese (even though I only understood a word or two-) his voice tender with emotion. And to listen to the DR's voice become thick with emotion as we knelt with family and friends for the very first time all together again, thanking the Lord for the Outpatient's safe return and valiant service.

Thankful. And Tearful. And Tired.

Flash Back

Today, Pioneer Woman was giving away a Kitchenaid Mixer. You were to name your favorite restaurant. I, of course, put down Market Street Grill. The very mention of it makes my mouth water. It also takes me back down memory lane- approximately 21 years ago (well in December it will be). I was first introduced to the Grill in December of 1988. Outpatient was a baby, and shortly after returning to work following his arrival, I started working as a sales assistant for the top salesman at the computer store I worked at. I worked for him- and not the store anymore- he was that successful. We had a pretty big sales month so as a reward, he took the DR and I, with he and his wife to Market Street Grill. It was, in a word, awesome. At that dinner, he said if we made a certain level of sales that he wanted to rent a cabin up in the mountains, but his wife and I both voted for somewhere warmer. So, the next time I had the pleasure to eat at Market Street, was the day he flew us all down to La Jolla for a weekend in February.

The DR and I have gone there for several anniversary dinners, and one very memorable dinner with the Lunch Lady and PB & J, prior to feasting on the fabulousness that is Les Mis. We have taken some of our very good friends there and the prime rib- seriously- cut with a fork! I have never had a bad meal there. I usually get the Prime Rib, while the DR chooses King Crab legs (he shares some with me). There are a lot of good memories served up to me when I get the opportunity to dine there, as well as some very good food.

Measuring to the Tie-

Youngest and Outpatient- THEN :

NOW:

Middle and Outpatient- THEN:

NOW:

Oldest and Outpatient - THEN:

NOW:

HUM? What do you think?

If you are reading this, I am (hopefully) hugging my boy- UPDATED

The Last....

I sincerely hope the Outpatient doesn't mind. I don't think he will. I decided I wanted to share part of his last email with you, because some of you are not on my email list. And because I want to share his testimony.

This is the testimony of a young man who has served well, and willingly, and determinedly.


Written Wednesday- September 16, 2009

"Well, what can I say now. I don't feel like this is the last email, but it is. I know that my redeemer lives. I know that this is his church. I know that the lord keeps his promises because he is perfect. I love this place. I love my comps, the members, converts, my president, the Brazilian people. there is nothing I can write to describe what I am feeling right now. I KNOW that the gospel changes lives - I've seen it and its changed mine. these are the best 2 years of my life!"

"thank you all for the constant prayers, support and love. I'm gonna miss doing this a LOT! but that day still hasn't arrived yet!!! I still have sacred time in my hands! pray for me please to continue to serve Him the best I can until the end and after."

"I love you"

elder larsen

Less than six hours- and that plane better not be late!

ONE...

At 9:50 pm, Brazillian Time, the Outpatient will leave what has been his home country for the past two years. They are three hours ahead of us, so at approximately 7:00 pm, and land in Dallas sometime after 6:00 am, September 22. I have been tempted to fly either myself or the DR to Dallas to meet him, since going to Brazil was out of the question.

15th and 16th-Last Transfer - Jul 1 to Sept 21, 2009

Elder Fernando Part Three

Elder Ricks

Emotions

Clear across many, many miles, the Outpatient has (possibly) gone to sleep for the last night in Brazil as a full time missionary for his Heavenly Father. In less than 24 hours, he will board a plane to return to the United States. And in another 17 hours after that, he will arrive in Salt Lake City.

Can anyone tell my why I cannot quit tearing up? I promise it is every bit as severe as when he first left. I have been on the verge of tears all day. Best Friend's mom called here tonight, and we had just finished having a Missionary FHE with Grandma and Grandpa- who will have their talks to give on the morning that Outpatient will report his mission in the afternoon, they will then be set apart that evening, and begin their journey which their much loved grandson has just completed. I was teary when the phone was handed to me- and K said something about the countdown, and I'm sure she thinks I am nuts to be so emotional at this point.

My heart hurts. And my head. It sounds so strange, but it is painful for me to think of the pain my son is feeling tonight as he prepares to yank himself out of the Mission Field, roots and all, to transplant himself in to his old life- which is not quite the life he left- it is different here than when he left. Although his siblings won't be complete strangers, they are not who he left.

I can guess that he will not sleep tonight. It is his way. The nights before he left, he did not sleep more than a very few hours. I actually sent him with some medicine to help force him to get some sleep once he arrived so he could adjust to the time change more easily. I can guess he is running around his apartment, trying to gather his scattered belongings and his scattered thoughts. I guess I should say I hope he is packing, because he didn't do so hot with that before he left.

I am beyond thrilled to have him come home, but my eyes seem determined to make people believe otherwise. My heart is full and it insists on leaking out.

TWO...

13th and 14th Transfers- Apr 7 to Jul 1, 2009

Elder Olsen - Newbie-





Elder Fernando Part Two

THREE....

11th and - Out of the Office-12th Transfer- Jan 20 to Apr 7, 2009

Elder Hahne - Training him to take over as Exec. Secretary

Elder Cruz- Back in the Field

FOUR....

Ninth and Tenth Transfers- Nov 5, 2008 to Jan 20, 2009

Elder Fernando Part One

Elder Aslan

Preparing

Well- The Outpatient's room is finally ready. I know he won't use it for long, but it feels good to me to have it nice for him and Oldest. I need to paint, but I am realistic. He can help me do that when he gets home.

It was a bit teary for me to read my last missionary email from him. He bore a strong testimony, and made it very clear that he is not done and has every intention of pushing on until the very last minute. I can't wait to meet some of his companions- wish I could meet more of them- hopefully we will get a chance to. We hope to go back to Brazil with him this next spring. Better get busy on my passport and visa stuff :).

I can't imagine how hard it will be for him to leave- other than I am laughing at his "preparations" for returning. My Metro son has requested certain things be brought to him at the airport. I told him today that his vanity hasn't been cured in Brazil. He makes me laugh, but I am glad I didn't raise a slob- well- at least in his personal habits. His room and car are an entirely different matter. I hadn't intended to write at all during this count down, as I am a busy nurse. My work hours have more than doubled (nice timing, I know) and with redecorating the room and my other regular stuff it is a bit looney around here, but the wing is currently quiet as all patients are safely tucked in their beds and the DR is at a Priesthood Training mtg- where Uncle J is using the Outpatient's last email as part of his lesson.

I am so proud of my son. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father let him choose us as his parents. I actually have proof that he did :). I miss him, and want him closer to be able to feel of his spirit- not only in the religious sense, but in the personality sense. He is quite the bouncy guy. I have felt his absence every single day. I know he is doing what he should be and how he should be. And I am so grateful. He is fun. He is friendly. He is forgiving. He is my friend.

FIVE...

Into The Office- 8th Transfer

Elder Evangelista Sept 16- Oct 1, 2008

Elder Gatner- Part Two