Luke's week in Paterson

I was so good to chat with Luke again.  I always so excited when I wake up on Monday morning, hoping to have a message from Elder Childs since he is two hours ahead.  He had another great week minus the accident with the weight bar.  He had several opportunities to teach this week and did so with a great attitude even though he was in pain.   He went on a split with the district leader Elder Dyer.  He really likes him.  Elder Dyer is Spanish speaking so Luke kind of took a backseat during the interactions.  He did say that Elder Dyer gave him some great advice when it comes to street contacting that already has made him feel more confident.  I am so proud of how much his testimony growing and I love how his willing he is to share it with the people in Paterson.  Such an example to me.

Another great night

This morning, Harlee sent me a screenshot of movie times and said "Hear me out".  She wanted to go see the movie Missing.  How can I say no to that.  I checked with Joey to see if he would be ok with postponing our salad night.  He was on board.  So I got tickets for the 7:35pm show.  I picked Har up from work at 7pm and we headed to the theater.  The movie was a little slow to get going but the end was so intense that Harlee and I held hands.  If I was home watching the movie I would have screamed out loud.  Super crazy twist at the end.  So fun to spend time with Harlee.  I love that she still wants to spend time with her mom.

Eventful day

This morning I was leaving my 5am class and got a text message from Joey.  He must have been talking to text because the message said "67% Jame.  Luke has had an accident. He needs you to call him."    What does this mean, 67% survival rate? Needless to say I was a little freaked out.  I do love that the kids will let Joey know first since he is a little more calm than their mom.  I called Luke and found out that he was working out and lifting weights.  The weight bar is a little wonky and he dropped it on his face.  185 lbs!  So scary.  He split his lip open and cracked three teeth.  Poor Luke.  He was in good spirits and asked if I could send him pictures of the dental insurance card and a list of dentists in his area that take our insurance.  I thought he would need me to call and set up the appointment.  Not so!  Luke took charge,sti called and made himself an appointment.  Thankfully it was only a ten minute walk from his apartment.  He went to his appointment and they stitched up his lip.  He will go back on Wednesday to get his teeth bonded.  He handled the whole situation calmly and maturely.  He was told to eat soft foods for the next little bit.  He is so happy that they have a Popeye's close by so he can get some mashed potatoes.  I am so proud of Luke getting through hard things with grace.  Hope he heals quickly and that this will soon be a memory.

Zone conference and another week in NJ

 Luke had a great week again.  He had his first zone conference where his mission president spoke.  He spoke of the Godhead as a triangle.  He reminded all the missionaries that when you have access to the Holy Ghost you have direct access to Heavenly Father and our Savior.  Luke loved this perspective and reminder.  Luke also tried several new foods this week.  This is such a big deal for Luke.  He is pretty picky and loves to stick to chicken nuggets and hamburgers.  This week he tried Japanese curry and actually loved it.  He also tried a Dominican cheeseburger.  He had no idea what was in it but enjoyed it.  I am so glad that Luke is willing to try new things.  He is growing and pushing limits.  It is amazing to see.  I miss him so much that it hurts.  It does soften the ache knowing that he is where he is supposed to be.  

Date with my favorite girl

This morning after Joey and I got home, Harlee told me that she had no plans for tonight since Ari had plans already and Nicci had to work.  I asked her if she would want to go see a movie with me.  Joey does not love to go to the movies so he fully supported me taking Har.  We decided to go see a movie called "A Man Called Otto".  Besides the guy chomping his popcorn right next to me, it was amazing.  The movie was so good and made both of us cry.  After the movie we went and got Smart cookies.  Pretty perfect night.  I am so grateful to have a daughter that is also one of my best friends.  

21 Years

On Wednesday we celebrated 21 years of marriage!  It is hard to believe that it has been 21 years but at the same time it seems like we have been together forever.  I love Joey so much and feel so so lucky to be his wife.  We have been blessed with the most beautiful family and the most amazing life.  I am so thankful that Heavenly Father lead me to Joey.  To celebrate we went to the Aplenglobe's this morning for breakfast.  It was so pretty to eat in the warm globe and enjoy the company of my best friend.  Here's to an eternity of making memories together.  

Another week in Paterson

It was so amazing to get to message and talk to Luke again today.  It feels like the longest days in between each call.  Once I hear his voice and can tell he is happy, I feel peace again.  It was so amazing to chat with him.  He updated us on his investigator Bunny and her grandson.  She is loving the gospel and making her way towards baptism.  Luke is so excited.  He has completely thrown himself into missionary work and it is beautiful to watch.  He is doing hard things and growing so much.  I am so beyond proud of him.  Here's to another great week!

Nicklecade and Taco Amigo

Because it was Martin Luther King Day, the kids did not have school and Joey was off from work.  We were going to go to TopGolf but it was super snowy.  Joey gave us a whole dissertation on white balls on white snow.  It was a thing!  So we decided to do something fun that was inside.  We went to the Nicklecade in Orem.  The kids had a lot of fun playing games and earning tickets for prizes.  After the fun, we stopped at Cafe Rio to grab lunch for Har and I then we all went to Taco Amigo to eat.  It was so fun to have a little family time before getting back to the grind with swim practice and dance.

She's employed

Today Harlee had her first job interview at Viewpoint.  She was applying to follow in Luke's footsteps and be a sweeper.  The interview went well and she got the job!  She starts on Tuesday.  She will work Tuesday through Friday from 3-7pm.  Those will be long days for her but I am so proud of her for choosing to work hard.  She will be the prettiest sweeper I know!

First week in NJ

It was so good to chat with Elder Childs today!   He is doing so good.  He really likes his trainer Elder Mower.  He has been thrown into the work and is loving it.  I am not loving the fact that he is in a super scary area but I know that he will be protected.  He is one of the few walking missions so he does not have a car.  The elders may be some of the only white people in the area.  Definitely an answer to prayers that he is doing so well.  Love him so much!

Harlee is 16

Happy Birthday Har!  Cannot believe that you are 16.  What an amazing young lady you are!  Harlee started her day by skipping school, getting her driver's license, and having a little conversation with our favorite missionary.  Then Harlee and I went to get facials at Sanctuary spa.  It was kind of amazing.  After a little relaxation we went to Olive Garden for lunch.  Minus the waiter's body odor and his desire to stare at Harlee, it was great.  I just love spending time with her.  When we got home she drove for the first time by herself to show Nicci her car.  After dinner she opened presents  and we had her dessert of choice, krispie kreme donuts.  We ended her birthday chatting with Elder Childs.  Hope you had an amazing day!

She is a licensed driver

Harlee took road the week that Luke left on his mission.  At the end of the road course she had her driver's test and she PASSED!  This morning on her birthday, we went to the DMV where she took a picture and an eye test before being given her temporary license.  It is kind of unfair how beautiful her picture looks!  So proud of our new driver.  The BMW is now hers.

A Little Surprise

Har's sixteenth birthday is coming up on Monday.  I worked with Ari to do a little surprise get together for her.  I know Har and she would hate a big party so this was more what she would want.  Ari invited her friends and then also invited her new friends that she met at the Benson Boone concert.  Her usual friend group all had other commitments but her new friends all came.  Ari had asked Har to go to Swig and while they were gone, her friends showed up.  They went to hide in the basement.  When Ari and Har came in they sat down to chat with me.  I asked Har to do me a favor and go down in the basement and grab me a drink.  I thought this was a great idea until I remembered I had a ton of snacks on the ottoman down there.  Ari said "They're all for you!"  So funny and so awkward.  They went into the kitchen down there and the friends were hiding in the game room.  They jumped out and yelled surprise.  Har was so excited.  They hung out and the laughter coming from the basement warmed my heart.  Har ended up saying that she was glad that her other friends could not make it so she did not have to mix groups.  I am so glad that Harlee had a great time and felt celebrated.  She is the best.  So grateful that she has such cute friends.

He made it to Jersey

On Tuesday Luke had a long day of travel.  Joey and I were nervous wrecks and actually set our alarms for 2:45am on Tuesday so we could text Luke and make sure he was up.  He had to be at the travel office at 3:30am.  They flew to Chicago where they were supposed to have less than an hour of a layover before flying to NJ.  I was super nervous that they were not going to make it.  Well my nerves were right- the flight from Salt Lake left an hour late so they did miss their flight.  Thankfully 11 of the 14 missionaries traveling together were sisters.  They were able to work it out for all of them to get on the 8:45pm flight.  They had 7 hours to hang out at the airport which was probably pretty nice since they have been on such a busy schedule at the MTC.  Luke was especially happy to have McDonalds for lunch and dinner.  The the last thing I had heard that night was that the flight was on time.  Yesterday Luke sent me a message saying that he was good but could no longer message me.  I am so proud of him for following the rules but I seriously felt like he was breaking up with me.  Today the mission president sent us a letter and a picture.  He let us know that Luke had made it there and that he would be serving in Paterson NJ. I should not have googled the area because it looks super sketchy.  Definitely going to be leaning on the inspiration I received in the temple.  There was a picture of his trainer.  He doesn't really look like Luke's type but hopefully he is cool.  He sent a picture of the 22 missionaries that arrived on Tuesday.  I am so excited for Luke- he is doing this!  Can't wait to talk to him on Monday. Only 4 more days.