Ah Hahs

I know it is cold when I wake up in the morning to hear the heater cycling on about every 10 minutes.  I lay in bed listing to the heater and hitting the snooze button on weekends.  The nights drop down to the negatives and we’re lucky if the temperature breaks into the teens during the day.  Even the locals are complaining about the cold.  They say this is weather is 15 degrees below normal.

Another phenomenon is freezing fog.  I learned about freezing rain when I leaved in Missouri; now I have discovered freezing fog.  The fog turns to sparkles because the moisture is actually freezing into ice crystals; this is not to be confused with snow.  When I first encountered it, I thought it was a very light, shiny snow.  It is rather pretty and can be hazardous.  Because it is ice crystals, it makes surfaces even that more slippery.

Icicles on the chapel.  Actually there are icicles hanging from most buildings around town, some 3 or 4 feet long.

Bouncing Ball

Today I felt like a bouncing ball.  I was bouncing from one candidate to another.  I was introducing D to the AJS binder, reviewing SB's résumé, interviewing a gal for AJS, helping B apply to Kelly Services online, explaining to S about the résumé download at LDSjobs, typing up the agenda for our AJS staff meeting tomorrow, putting together new AJS binders, writing a Letter of Recommendation for C, and the list goes on.  I wanted to have a little more interaction with SC to see if he needed any assistance with his job search, but I kept getting sidetracked. 

Catch-Up Day

So glad I spent the night at Devany’s.  I was really tired; it didn’t take me very long to fall asleep on her couch.

The drive back to Logan was good, no snow or freezing fog.  Lots of traffic going in the other direction and one big accident.

Return to the Mission Field

It was the kids first day back at school after Christmas/Winter break.  Tal was up early for seminary then the others started getting up and going.  I have actually been up and awake before everyone since I arrived.  This is not usual for me.  Must be those missionary hours I’ve been working on keeping.

Jeanne and I took the opportunity to run some errands and do a little shopping.  We really didn’t find anything.  Oh, I did buy some pajamas like hers from ShopKo.  She kept saying how comfortable and warm they were.

Packer was the only one who wanted to go to the airport with Jeanne and I.  Micah said he didn’t want to cry (surprisingly, I didn’t cry).  My flights to and from North Platte were extremely small, less than 10 people.  This time I didn’t meet any really social people.  I was surprised that we had two dogs on our Frontier flight to Salt Lake.  One was a poodle (rather older) that the owner held in her lap.  The other was a shepherd puppy in a travel case.  Maybe she put the case on the floor; I wasn’t close to that one to see what she did with dog.  When I first got on the plane, the puppy came strolling down the aisle.  The flight attendant retrieved the puppy and returned it to the owner with instructions to keep the puppy with her.

As this day progressed I was thinking I didn’t want to drive back to Logan after being up over 12 hours.  Jeanne arranged for me to spend the night at Devany’s and I emailed Sister Bews so she could arrange a ride to work on Tuesday.  I had already said I wouldn’t be going in on Tuesday because I would be getting in to Logan late.  So glad I did that.

No video chat with Meemaw

No video chatting with Meemaw this Sunday since I was there.  I did set up a Facetime for the boys to do with their cousin Barrett in Livermore.  Barrett had received a new iPod for Christmas and was anxious to Facetime.  I thought what a wonderful way for the boys to get to know each other a little better.  I let Packer and Micah use my new iPod.  I thought they could share their Lego creations with each other over the iPods.  Turned out to be a good call.

Baptism Day

Very busy day!  The baptism service started at 10am; Jeanne likes to keep things on time.  Packer gave a wonderful talk on baptism and Michelle did a great job speaking about the Holy Ghost.  Micah played “I Am a Child of God” on the piano and Talitha and Bekah sang “Teach Me To Walk in the Light.” 

Laurel was a bit anxious last night, but was excited and happy today.  Everything went well except Jared couldn’t remember one of Laurel’s middle names.  We all thought he was being emotional; he was just trying to think of the name.  He had to ask Laurel what it was—Evelyn.  She is the only one with two
middle names—Evelyn and Dolly after great grandmothers. 

Saturday evening Jeanne and I went to Walmart so I could buy a pillow.  The one I was using was very flat.  I don’t think I have bought a pillow for them since they lived in Provo.

Off to North Platte -- Surprise

I was up at 5:30am to catch a 10:14am flight out of Salt Lake City.  I left the apartment by 6:40am; I had aimed for 6:30am. The drive down wasn’t too bad.  Elder Eubanks had recommended that I take Legacy Highway to avoid some of the traffic and big trucks—they’re not allowed on that highway.  Parked in the economy lot and took shuttle bus to terminal.  Pretty efficient. 

I had arrived in plenty of time.  Ended up passing the time talking with a gentleman from Kansas.  He was waiting for my Frontier flight to come in so he could meet his wife.  They had booked at different times to come to Salt Lake for a grandchild’s blessing or priesthood ordination.  Not sure which because he was telling about how they fly out for their grandchildren’s special ordinations.

Frontier had a full plane and asked for people to check their carry-on through.  I took advantage of the opportunity (no charge for checking) so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting my suitcase from one gate to the other.  When I returned to my seat, someone else had sat where I was so I went to the bathroom.  Upon returning their large duffle bag was there but the person wasn’t.  A TSA gal came by to check it out and asked if I knew who it had belonged to.  No idea, but I thought it had been a woman (wasn’t even certain about that).  They notified the police.  An officer came after a bit to take it away.  The gal from TSA says it happens quite often that people leave their luggage to go to the bathroom or get a bite even though they aren’t suppose to.  She has even been asked to watch someone’s luggage which she can’t do.  I think they opened it up later and found some ID because I heard them announce on the PA for someone to come claim their lost item.

We took off at 10:14am and arrived in Denver at 11:30am.  Had a three hour layover.  There I had the opportunity to talk to a couple from Vernal, Utah.  They had been down in Texas visiting her family.  I
didn’t realize there was a flight to Vernal on Great Lakes Airline.  They seem to go to all the out of the way places.

We left Denver at 3pm and arrived in North Platte at 5pm.  The flight was pretty smooth, but noisy, the consequences of flying in a smaller aircraft.  I was able to have an isle seat and a window seat all at the same time.

Michelle was there to pick me up.  She dropped me off at Jeanne’s, but didn’t come to the door with me.  Jeanne made sure to have Laurel answer the door.  I rang the door bell a couple times before she opened it.  When Laurel opened the door, she stood there with her mouth open in disbelief.  I said “I heard there is a baptism tomorrow.   I thought I would come for it.”  All the kids were in disbelief when they saw me.  One of the few times they have been speechless.  After they recovered from their initial shock, they were very excited to see me and I had lots of hugs.

Close of 2012

December 28, we made a trip to Tremonton this evening.  Sister Bews' family from Boise was going to Salt Lake and asked if we would meet them for dinner.  I chose Tremonton over Brigham City because I thought the road might be easier to travel.  I wasn't too thrilled driving over the slush and ice of Sardine Canyon on Christmas Day.  We met them at Denny's.  Sister Bews was excited to see her family again. 

December 29, I am going to North Platte for Laurel's baptism on January 5!  President Hiers has given me permission to go.  I will be gone Friday through Monday this coming weekend.  Sister Bews is especially excited for me because I haven't had an opportunity to see my family for awhile and she has visited with hers a couple times.

Jeanne emailed me not to say anything to Laurel when I talk with the kids tonight on video chat.  We'll surprise her with my visit.  Michelle wants to pick me up at the airport, so I can just walk up to the door and knock on it.  What fun!

December 31, Becky was really happy for me when she came into the Center.  She was delighted that I was going to see my family and attend the baptism.  As other missionaries learned of my trip, they were all very excited and happy for me.  We have arranged for Sister Bews to have transportation to the Center on Friday and Monday.  The ward will watch over her during the weekend.

Back to the Employment Center

Boy am I feeling tired this evening.  It was back to work today.  I managed to stay busy even though the Center wasn't that busy.  There is always paper work that can be done for AJS.  We had a new candidate start today. 

I was asked by Elder Davis last week to give the spiritual thought today.  I picked the 4th Day of Christmas from the 12 Days of Christmas gifts Jeanne and the kids had sent me.  The 4th day was calling birds and Jeanne turned it to "calling" like in Church.  She had five quotes about serving a mission as a senior and after each quote was a note written by one of the grandchildren.  I thought it was very appropriate to share with the Service Missionaries because they are all grandparents setting an example for their grandchildren.

It snowed most of the day.  It was almost a repeat of Monday.  The storm is suppose to continue through tomorrow.  We didn't go far from the Center at lunch time; we drove to Wendy's which was about two blocks away.

Christmas Day

Results of the Christmas Eve snowfall

Around noon we headed out for Salt Lake City.  On our way out of town we encountered ground fog for a couple miles.  It looked pretty cool.  The highway to Brigham City was a bit slushy and icy in parts.  The Wellsville Mountains have very steep slopes, so they block out some of the sun keeping the snow and ice from melting completely on various parts of the highway.  After we were on I-15 the drive was pretty clear.  Salt Lake is about an hour and half drive from Logan. 

The Marriott had free enclosed public parking for the day and is only a block away from Temple Square.  I’m sure the car didn’t mind being out of the weather and it was nice to have a warm building to go through.

We walked toured the Assembly hall, the old Tabernacle, and the North Visitor’s Center (we had been in the South Visitor’s Center on a previous trip).  It has been over twenty years since I had last gone through these buildings.  Everything was lovely with the Christmas greenery.  At 5pm they turned on the lights!  That was quite a sight to see.

Tree in City Creek Mall

Looking from City Creek Mall towards the Temple

Reflection Pool in front of the Temple with Nativity

Assembly Hall

Nativity outside Tabernacle

We head home around 6pm stopping at Denny’s in Layton for dinner.  It was a very busy restaurant! :-o  I guess because it was one of the few open on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

Today it has snowed off and on all day, mostly on.  We didn’t go to Salt Lake like we had planned for Christmas Eve.  I know that once I get over the Wellsville Mountains, the weather won’t be quite so bad.  The problem is getting from here to there!  I’m still learning or practicing driving in snow and slush, and on icy roads.  I’m not ready to challenge myself.  Consequently, we stayed in Providence.

We ventured out in the snow to go to the movies.  We saw “Rise of the Guardians.”  The snowplow was digging out the parking lot when we arrived.  I only had to drive about a half mile to the theatre, but it was still a very snowy drive.  We always clean off the car before we go anywhere because I like to see where I’m driving through all my windows.  After the movie we had to dig the car out again, and the movie was only 90 minutes long.  Glad we didn’t see a 2 hour or 3 hour movie!

Dinner with the Schwab family was very nice.  We had chicken and baked red potatoes.  I’ve never baked a red potato.  And these weren’t small red potatoes.  The flavor was a little different, but good.  After dinner, I shared with the family “To Be a Brother Like That” story which came in my Day 5 envelope of the 12 Days of Christmas.  It is a great story and goes a little different than you expect.  You can find it on the internet.