Ian's Going to be A Missionary

When Ian turned in his paperwork to be a missionary, he had high hopes of living in a foreign country and learning a new language. After two weeks of waiting, he got the letter announcing where he'll be going and when he'll leave. Ian and Leah met Jim on his UPS route. With grandparents and brothers listening on the phone, Ian read his 2-year assignment.







Ian will report to the Mission Training Center in Utah on August 26th, 2009. He'll be serving in the Billings, Montana Mission - English Speaking.
Although Ian is a bit disappointed that he won't have the experience of living outside the country, he realizes that he will always receive his mail, he won't have to live in confusion for months while learning a new language, and he won't have to get used to eating strange food. He's mostly relieved to finally get going with this part of his life.

Ian's Changing Hair

For the past several years, May is the month that Ian gets his hair straightened. For about six months he grows it out as long as he can stand it. Only two rules: his hair has to be out of his face and has to be clean at all times. His Aunt Rachel straightens his hair and he wears it like that for a day or two before she gives him a summer hair cut.

May of 2009 was no different than past years, except for the hair cut at the end. Before the final cut, Rachel had fun styling his hair several ways, including a Mullet. The difference this year……a missionary hair cut. With Ian’s Mission Papers turned in we expect his call in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, Ian is enjoying his new look.

Happy Birthday to me......I guess

As my birthday approached, I was looking forward to celebrating it with a camping trip at the Colorado River near Needles, California during Memorial Weekend. Since our RV died two years ago, our 4-day home would be in a large two-room tent and a double easy-up awning. Jim, Nicholas, Ian, the dog and I packed up the truck, hooked up the jet skis and had a nice 5-hour drive to the river. Jason and his family were there as well. By the time we got our campsite set up, I wasn’t feeling well but did my best to cook a nice meal on the Coleman stove in the dark and heavy winds. The next morning I woke up very sick and seemed to get more sick each day. I was able to enjoy a boat ride and a few outings on the jet skis but mostly slept. Jim bought me a cake and I received two gifts and cards and everyone at the campsite sang “Happy Birthday” but I was too sick to enjoy it. On the way home I slept the entire way, arriving home to a flooded kitchen, dining room and living room from a broken water filter on the frig. After a quick trip to the doctor, I was diagnosed with Bronchial Pneumonia and received some meds. Shortly afterwards, our kitchen and adjoining rooms were a mess with Insurance Claims Adjusters, and Water Damage Crew, furniture and décor packed-up and moved out, our carpet and padding was removed and the walls cut open.
Our house currently has the pungent odor of old wet wood and Listerine (the smell of the chemical used to prevent mold) with the continual windy sound of the dehumidifiers and air mover machines trying to dry out the second level of the house. Happy birthday to me….I guess!