Elder "Brodder"

This past weekend my brother got home from his mission! My mom and my youngest brother Matt went to Texas to pick him up. Greg served an honorably in the Dallas, Texas Spanish-speaking mission. I have to admit, I was worried he'd be a totally different person. Of course his mission had to have changed him but I was worried he'd be too churchy or something. (Yeah, I know I got work to do for thinking that.) Anyway, he did come home grown up, more mature, with a stronger testimony having received a true conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But he was also same old Greg, always able to make me laugh, always positive, happy and smiling.


I thought it was really neat the his Stake President (the Bishop from my youth) invited my siblings and I along with our parents to the meeting at which Greg reported on his mission before getting released. Not only was it wonderful to see the faces of old friends and people who were influential in my youth but we got to hear Greg share a few experiences in his mission. One of them was about a couple he taught who happened to be living together. As he taught them the gospel and about eternal families, he asked them how they felt about getting married. They did end up getting married and baptized. Greg said that experience meant a lot to him. What he didn't mention to the high council (and this will tell you what kind of person Greg is) was that he had sent a letter home to my mom describing where he packed away a small diamond ring he once bought for his high school girlfriend as a Christmas gift. He had my mom send it to him and he gave it to the brother to give to his wife when they were married since the couple had a meager income. Even without that additional information, I could see many of the people he reported to were moved by the love my brother had for the people he taught, the power of his testimony and the gift he has of speaking by the Spirit.


Another experience Greg had on his mission that left an impression on me was one he shared when he spoke in sacrament meeting. He said one day he and his companion were out "knockin' doors" as he called it. He freely admitted that he wasn't exactly a fan of "knockin' doors" but they had about a half hour and his companion suggested that is what they ought to do. So they decided to pray before deciding where to go. Greg said they offered a simple but faith-filled prayer, "Heavenly Father, we have 30 minutes. Use us." They ended up driving to a large apartment complex nearby with several entrances. As Greg drove, he waited for his companion to direct him to the entrance they should use. They got down to the last one and his companion said, "Turn here." Greg did and as they got out, they both felt to go to an apartment closest to the parking lot on the first floor. They found two siblings there, a boy and a girl, ages 17 and 19. They were interested in the message my brother and his companion had to share. And of course, after they were taught, they were baptized. I'm not sure if this is the same girl (but I think it is so I will share this) that asked my brother at a Stake Conference if all boys had to serve a mission. He told her that the prophet asked that every worthy young male serve a mission but they have their agency so they can choose whether or not to go. She had tears in her eyes as she replied, "Thank you for serving a mission."

I always find it amazing how many lives are changed when one serves a mission. Even if the missionary is the only one changed, the effects of that change have the potential to pass on through generations.

Let's Go Party Like it's 1999

We had a super fun New Year's Weekend...
New Year's Eve: Gma and Papa Whittemore were so kind to watch the boys over night when Ed and I were asked to chaperon the YSA {Young Single Adult} dance. We checked people in from 7:30-11 and then we went to hit up the dance floor. We also saw a local band called Good Morning Milo which was a lot of fun as well. At midnight we kissed to ring in the new year and even got a slow dance in. The older adults who preside over our stake's singles' ward were shaking their head at us and we walked out of the dance because we partied like it was 1999 {you know, like back when we were still single}. But man, that dance was kickin'. There was good music, laser tag, games, food, a magic show, local bands and it was held at the Hall of Champions, the sports museum, at Balboa Park. I'm still trying to decide just how lame we are that this possibly signified the most exciting New Year's we've celebrated together in our 7 years of marriage...

Day 1: Jadon and I went on a date New Year's Day and had a blast. We ate dinner at Ruby's, saw Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, and did a little shopping at Target where he picked out a black fidero hat and a black tie with little skulls and crossbones on it. On the way to the mall, Jadon asked me if the clothes I was wearing were the ones I wore to chaperon the dance the night before. I told him that I wore something else. He said, "Oh good." I asked him if there was something wrong with the clothes I was wearing. {I had on gray converse, skinny jeans, and a v-neck gray and white striped sweater.} He was trying to choose his words carefully, I could tell, because he didn't want to hurt my feelings. He replied, "Well, your clothes are good but you could get some that are a little bit cooler and stylin' like mine." Wow, talk about the day I became uncool. All I could do was smile to myself that this little man wasn't afraid to be honest with me. The fact that he was trying to let me down easy was pretty thoughtful of him. I hope this kind of open and honest relationship continues as he gets older. I mean, I can hope can't I? All in all, we had a great ending to our date by taking some fun pictures in the photo booth. Background courtesy of Jadon's good taste...

Day 2: We got to spend time at Mission Bay because the day was gorgeous! Jadon and I rode bikes around the sidewalk a bit while Zac and Eddie played at the park. Then all the boys stayed to play at the park while I did a brick {bike/run} around the bay and fiesta island. Miraculously, there was no wind on the back side of the island so I got going pretty fast. I'm training for Tritonman in February and even though I took a break from training when I started school last quarter, I got some confidence back this week swimming with my brother-in-law/coach {Robe} and working out again. Tritonman will take place on Fiesta Island so I had fun visualizing myself on the actual course and it got me excited and motivated. That evening, Ed went with his brother David to the San Diego Sockers game {San Diego's professional indoor soccer team} where we won in sudden death over-time. Even though it was freezing sitting outside at the Del Mar arena, he had a lot of fun and was glad I got him the tickets for Christmas.

Now it's back to the daily grind. School for me, work for Ed. I'm definitely sensing a case of the Mondays...