The DR made it home

The adventure is over, now back to reality. The DR and Outpatient actually landed on Monday morning- but due to the extreme tiredness, and having a lot of work issues to deal with the minute his feet hit the ground- the DR didn't come home until late yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. I finally caught up with him at the soccer fields at about 6:00pm- where we quickly gathered Middle and Oldest and hustled them to their hockey team end of season party. Then I went and picked up Youngest from her friend's house and she got to see her daddy for the first time in two weeks. That is the longest she has ever gone- actually the longest for all but Outpatient who lived through the years when the DR worked out of state for a month at a time- and there wasn't video chat then either.

I have a fun thing that I have been keeping quiet about- but Outpatient was told about a month ago that he was in the Portuguese Liahona. The DR brought me back two copies. There is the picture of Outpatient and the family whose sealing they went to this past weekend. The picture is from the day of their baptism, and the article is about how futsal brought them to the gospel. Too fun! They are such awesome people.


I had the chance to try and communicate with them over skype :P. The father is learning English- but not enough to really understand too much yet- but he spoke way more English than I speak Portuguese. The Outpatient was off with friends so he wasn't any help. The DR- meanwhile- was trying to skype with me at the same time- so it ended up being a bit of a circus for a little while. I finally gave up talking to them and just used google translate and wrote to them. It went a little better- although it is still hard because you are never sure how things were translated :) They were obviously so happy! They treated their sealing like a wedding, they had a luncheon, she had flowers and a cake with their family picture on it. They also had a professional photographer. They asked DR and Outpatient to be their witnesses. It makes me teary. The Outpatient wanted so badly to be there for this, and we would have made sure it happened so how- but if you recall- I mentioned that I met an angel in carhartt overalls last January. Well- a sweet man had showed up at my door who had heard the Outpatient speak about his desire to be at the sealing. He brought us an envelope containing a fairly large amount of money to help make sure that Outpatient could go. The goodness of people can be quite astounding. This man is a complete stranger to me. I didn't know who he was at all before the Outpatient spoke in a different ward, which is ironic because this man actually lives in our ward now- but he wasn't when the Outpatient left on his mission (the wards all changed three months after he left). Angel in Carhartts is inactive so he didn't meet Outpatient when he got home. He told me the lord would bless him- and it was just between us- ( I don't think the blog will be a give-away) .

Anyway- grateful for such a generous person, that the DR and Outpatient were able to experience that trip together, and that they are all safe and sound. I need to mention that the DR challenged the grandma of the family to take the discussions- she told him her other son needs the gospel in his life after seeing what it has done for M, F, &V. So, he challenged her, and she told him she would :) so maybe the DR will get to have an influence on a Brazilian convert as well. :)

Outpatient and DR in Brazil

Just have to mention for the - I don't know how many times- how much I love technology.

We have been able to video call the DR and Outpatient twice since they left and chatted by skype a couple of times also. Tonight we just viewed the pictures they have taken so far. Obviously the picture quality wasn't all that great- but still- to be able to go through the slide show while online with them is so awesome.

The DR's ear is feeling a little better, but they are going to try to get some medical assistance for both of them when they get back to Campinas tomorrow- they have been in Botucatu the past three days. It has been so awesome for the DR to hear first hand from the people what a great missionary the Outpatient was. For him- Outpatient- it has been awesome to get to hug and love the people with whom he served and who he taught. The DR has also been very sobered by the humble circumstances that many of these people live in and by the circumstances his son lived in also. There were many things that the Outpatient didn't tell us about, which I know it doesn't matter in the least- he was better off- still- than many.

Tomorrow it is back to Campinas where the DR will get to meet another of the family converts that the Outpatient was close to and that I have emailed and skyped with frequently. They will be eligible for the temple in a couple of months. They are planning on feeding the DR some lovely concoction of cow's stomach. The Outpatient really wants his dad to experience that :)

I sent some little gifts for the children (CTR things) so I am glad they will be able to deliver them in person.

They have arrived

Just heard from the DR and Outpatient- they have arrived safely in Campinas-

Now if we can get pulled together, we will head out in a couple of hours for hockey in Cougar town.

Will be a wild weekend-

Tender Mercies- part Deux

Tonight, we heard from my nephew who had to enter the Provo MTC instead of going to the CTM in Brazil because of the major visa problems. He got his visa! Hurray! Yesterday, in his weekly email, he mentioned that there had been over a hundred received in the last week, and there was a mass exodus of the missionaries headed to Brazil. Then he said he felt really sure that his would be coming very soon. Just how soon he had no idea. He was allowed to email again last night and a quick phone call to let his parents know his plans and status. The prayers of the missionaries, families, and members are being answered. There have been very few visas coming through from clear back in September. Many missionaries had to be reassigned state-side. There were huge groups of missionaries just waiting in the MTC the last little bit, as the visas trickled in, 20 or so at a time. Now in the last two weeks, there have been 200 or so come.

The DR and Outpatient were able to overnight their visa applications yesterday! Just in the nick of time. Praying now for a quick return of those.

AND: I found the remote. I will not say where- only that I am super brain dead and very embarrassed because- of course- there was a witness.

Still no main van keys- but I am not giving up hope :)

Please- if you would- spare a prayer for the company that the DR works for. They need new jobs to come in so they can keep crews working- MUCH THANKS!

Reflections

My sister has a Christmas card on her fridge. In it, the family declares that 2009 was their most boring year ever.

Maybe 2010 will bring that for us? Not holding my breath- but I can dream right?

2009 brought many, many blessings, some in pretty good disguises. Some of those blessings came wrapped in trials, but were blessings none the less.

For my short little goal list- here is how I fared. Losing weight- not so much. My doctor says welcome to my 40's. My baby was baptised and it was a wonderful day and night. My Outpatient did Return With Honor- and although it is not a perfect world and that return brought some heartache and transition, it is good to have him home and moving forward with his life. He is currently dating a hockey loving gal- and she is studying accounting. We have had the opportunity to have her stay with us a few days and getting to know her better. She also has a lead thumb on a snowmobile. I can't imagine :) As for the babies- the seventh one arrived safe and sound just three days before Christmas and is a beauty (well- handsome) and brought the count to 5 girls and 2 boys. The blessings of babies in a family are so wonderful. We spent quality time as a family, and are looking forward to even more of that. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching Oldest in Primary and am now looking forward to being Middle's Activity Day leader. I can say with firm confidence that I did support the DR in every aspect of his life.


As for blessings- I hope I have done a good job of documenting those- Miracles have been most abundant.
My sister- cancer free- year two.
My mom- half way through year one- just had her most recent scan- but so far, so good.
Babies- those who have had issues- are doing really well, and the others are all chubby and healthy and loveably squishy.
Safe return on two wonderful missionary boys, and the sending out of three new ones; plus the DR's parents.
The DR- still my number one Fan ( some days I am his number 2 priority- but that is okay)
Outpatient- mostly wonderful, blessed in his schooling situation right now.
Oldest- going to be a wonderful young man.
Middle- growing into a beautiful young girl.
Youngest- progress in her issues, and a joy.
Sophie- my devoted permababy.

It has been quite the year. Certainly not boring. Certainly not easy. But definitely Worth It!


May this new year be as full of the Tender Mercies of the Lord as 2009 has been.

Bring it on.

Prayers Needed

As many of you are aware, Russia's new rules and requirements for their visas has made it very difficult for missionaries because they have to leave the country, get new visas, then go back in, only to have to leave again in a short time.

This is not the only country that is being difficult right now. Due to the fact that my nephew is supposed to leave for Brazil at the end of the month, I am now aware that the Brazilian consulate has not been signing visas hardly at all since September. If you recall, there was a new temple announced at October General Conference in Fortaleza, Brazil (my nephew's mission). I find the timing rather interesting. Satan isn't too happy about another temple in Brazil is my best guess. Many of the missionaries have ended up in the Provo MTC and being reassigned stateside. A few visas have finally come through, but not as many as needed. There have not been hardly any American missionaries heading to Brazil since September- Outpatient and his whole group came home, but weren't able to be replaced, and this has happened in the other missions as well.

I think it was President Kimball that asked the church membership to pray that countries would open their doors to the missionaries. I think we need to remember this in our prayers, and pray for the powers that be for their hearts to be softened and for the work to go forward.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Elder Olsen - Newbie-





Elder Fernando Part Two

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

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

Elder Fernando Part One

Elder Aslan