Travel annoyances

When I travel now, my feet swell. I’m sitting for long periods of time. It takes a few days for that to fade away. 

My feet have been swollen since the big travel day. Today they are getting back to normal. I wish I knew how to prevent it. 

I am glad my feet get back to normal. 

Today is the day

We are sitting in an airplane leaving Salt Lake City behind.  We are with 9 young missionaries going to Australia. 

I’m not sure I can describe how I feel. 

I see the snow capped mountains the I loved as a child. I am leaving them again. 

The new chapter is in front of me. I can’t imagine it. 

I know it will be hot. I know it will be an adventure. But right now, I am sad to leave all that I know. 

I am also crazily excited for the Amazon Jungle. I can’t imagine the flora and fauna that I have read about that I will see and live in. 

I have taken my last shower in the United States. I don’t know what will await me. I hope I will have a shower. 

I am responsible for knowing the language. I have practiced in the Discovery Zone. But now we are relying on what I know. Craig believes in me. It’s a bit scary. 

This is the first time I will be in the Southern Hemisphere. We will be under different stars. Josh will be the only one on the Continental States. He is surrounded by family. I hope he reaches out. 

I have said again and again that I can do this. Now I am doing this and I’m nervous. But we are doing this together. I can be brave. 

I am going on an adventure! For reals. 

Our Visa Waiter’s Club is becoming the Visa Receiver’s Club. The Beals received their visas today to Pakistan. The Davies will head out one week from now to Lima East. The Thurstons are up in the air. We pray for them, and know that God is their travel agent. They will be taken care of. We feel a bit guilty for leaving before they did. The Laure’s are still waiting for their Visas. And the Goodwin’s are waiting for Japan. 

These are the Thurstons and the Davies. They were home as we were leaving. Actually, the Thurstons were our ride. 

We have meet so many lovely people here in Salt Lake City. 

I have a few pictures of just a few. 

Our dear friend Jennifer Robinson. She is from South Africa. She is lovely beyond words. 

On the Discovery Floor. 

Our dear friend, Sister Bauer. She is so talented on the piano. She is in the training new missionaries zone - I don’t remember what it is callled. She as fabulous. 

This is Sister Maddsen. She works in the Visa department and always reminded us that she was looking out for us and wishing us well. 

President and Sister Faerber. They have been so amazing. We got a picture with President and Sister Holmes. But I didn’t get a copy. 😟

With all we are taking with us. 

Through security. Ready or not - we are on our way

Utah Symphony

We got free tickets to the Symphony. Craig came along, not too excited. But I was happy to go. 

The first half of the program features female composers. The first was had Peruvian influence, along with Chinese, Lithuanian, and Jewish heritage. The price showed her Peruvian side very well. We were fascinated and could head woodpeckers and buzzing insects in the piece. 

The second piece was an African American composer from the early 1900s. Her music was lost and forgotten for a time. But it is being rediscovered. The pianist is also African American and was a revelation. She played with sincerity, authority, and passion. Her feet and fingers flew over the keys and pedals. We felt blessed to witness her performance. 

The second half of the program featured a Russian composer. He debuted his work after Stalin died. His work was passionate and I remembered the amazing history and pain of that country. 

Craig was converted to the Utah Symphony. They were fabulous. 

In the lobby is the fabulous glass sculpture. It shows best as night lit up and reflecting the fire it evokes. I love it. 

Momentos of our night for our boys and the instruments they have played, at least the brass ones. 

Temple trip

The Visa Waiters attended the temple and did sealings. We have turned into a tight knit group. I had 15 children sealed to parents that night - Tuesday. It was snowing that night and our car got lost, but we made it. That is the important thing. 

We took pictures to remember. 

The Lauer’s (Knut and Edna), the Beals (David and Claudia), us, the Thurstons ( Bob and Lori), and the Krewsons. I can’t remember first name s 

I thought the fountain in the snow was so pretty. 

I love the lights in the fountain. 

The jacket

Tonight we had our Easter Concert Devotional. We sang four songs. They were beautiful. Some challenging music for me. We had a final run through/practice two and a half hours before. I know I was super focused on remembering the music and reaching my notes in the rafters. 

At the break, I went down to gather my purse and sweater. Craig went to gather his suit coat. His coat was missing.  We looked all around, under, over, through - all the prepositions. It was no where to be found. We started asking around and others were doing the preposition thing with us. 

On sweet elder offered his coat, so Craig would not be the only white shirt up there. We said thank you and went to sit down. We had delayed too long really. 

A sweet sister came over and showed us a text. One of our friends took it home by mistake. We will pick it up tomorrow at the Family Search Library. 

Now I feel bad involving other people. Our sweet friend I imagine is mortified. Elder Bea from Korea.  

Now it is a funny memory that our visa waiter group shares. (Most of us are in the choir). 

A picture from tonight. The group that sang in Sacrament Meeting Sunday. 

He already gave the coat back. 

With the sweet accompanist, Sister Winder. 

Elder Winder, David Beal, Craig, Bob Thurston, Elder Saber. 

Meeting old (young) friends

Yesterday at General Conference we met up with a friend we hadn’t seen in four years. We’ve been keeping up with him through Josh. 

He and Josh went through high school together in California. 

Yesterday he and his wife met up with us for a brief minute. 

I was aware again of how tall he is. We love you Drew. 

And I thought after everyone left how horrible that I didn’t ask for a photo of Josh and Anna. 

Racing

I was heading home and met a couple at the elevators. They are in our complex and waiting for visas to go to Australia. 

They asked which way I was heading home. I was planning to go through the tunnels. They said that going through Temple Square was faster. So I proposed a race. 

I met a sweet couple under North Temple who were plodding alone. I slowed down for just a bit. And then hurried on my way after saying I was in a race. 

I took a picture on my phone as I arrived. Because I won. 

It’s time stamped at 5:00. 

They came in five minutes later. She said she had stopped to talk to someone. 

I know I am ridiculous. I shouldn’t be so competitive in everything. 

But finding ways to have fun.