Help a brothah out wouldja? - premiumguncases.com

Or in this case, my son!

He is a web designer coach and part of his job is to maintain a website and make sales from it.  He needs a certain amount of sales in order to meet the criteria outlined by his employer.

Soooooooo.....if you are a gun enthusiast - please hit his site
http://www.premiumguncases.com/

And if that link doesn't work just click HERE

You don't need to make a large purchase, there are some smaller accessories that are extremely affordable, or if you are in the market for a firearm or case to store your piece- he's got some fantastic prices!

Anything my virtual bloggy friends can do is MOST APPRECIATED!!!!

xoxox
mCat

Thankful Thursday - Throwback to the Chile Mission days

Oh my heck!  Yes, that is totally a Utah phrase.  It's for us Mormons who are trying to curb our swearing.

So, I get a call yesterday from Luke practically yelling with excitement!  Elder Poujol is HERE!  In the United States!!  Remember how they were companions when Luke served a mission for our church in the Chile, Osorno mission?   Mauricio has long stayed Luke's good friend.

(February of 2009)

and video of him just playing around.  I hear Luke's spanish and forgot how fast and fluent he was

I really wanted to post the video of his awesome blue dart (my son taught every non-american companion how to do a blue dart) but Splenda stopped me.  I guess if Mauricio says it's okay, I'll throw it up sometime.  It's AWE.SOME!


 They were BFF's in the mission and not much has changed since they both went home.  Mauricio to Honduras and Luke to the states.

Well, it seems that ANOTHER missionary companion of theirs is getting married this weekend and Mauricio came all the way from Honduras for a week to join in the festivities!!    I have always wanted to meet this kid and Wednesday night was the night!

What a freakin delight!  He speaks English very well and is truly one of the happiest people I have ever met.  He is working on his bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering in Honduras and then plans on coming out to BYU for his Masters.  Yippee!!  We will get him close by!

Luke came up from Orem, picked him up and brought him home for dinner.  First thing Mauricio told me is that I am his grandma.  Apparently, in their mission, your trainer was your "dad".  Luke was his trainer and zone leader for a period of time.  So the joke was that Luke was his "dad", which made me his "grandma".

Wonderful kid!  Outstanding human being.  The LDS church isn't as large in Honduras as it is here, so he does multiple callings - jobs that he doesn't get paid for.  I admire that in people, who serve simply because they love their church and believe in it's cause.

We had a chance to visit, the boys looked over some mission pictures and videos and of course my camera was at the ready!

Mauricio is here until Sunday and then back to Honduras until next year.  His family will be coming out for General Conference.  He has instructions to bring his younger sister.  If she is half as beautiful, kind, respectful, generous, outgoing, pleasant as her brother - Imma snatch her for Luke!

So for this Thankful Thursday, I am more than thankful for the choice Luke made to serve a mission and the privilege he had to serve with such an awesome young man!  I am thankful for how well Luke speaks Spanish.  He said the prayer tonight on the food and I asked him for espanol.  I love that language.  It's a comfort language for me!  I'm thankful for all the good that has come to  Luke's life from his two years in Chile - including Mauricio Poujol!

Erupting volcano in southern Chile - Elder L is safe

For those who are wondering, yes we are aware of the volcano that is erupting in Chitean, Chile. It was the same one that erupted last May and basically wiped out the small city.

At the time of last year's eruption, Elder L was close enough to see the ash and clouds as it erupted and assisted as they evacuated the city's occupants to his then area.
Where he is serving now, is about 100 miles away from the volcano. So probably close enough to see the dust and ash, but certainly not in any imminent danger. Click here to link to a news story that gives a good outline of what happened last year and what is happening now and a video. Or click here for some awesome photos.
I'm glad he is where he is now, as his last sector was even closer to the volcano which apparently is in danger of further eruptions.

Thanks for your concern and thoughts, I can't wait until Monday to hear what he knows about it!

Spiritual Sunday - Best letter EVAH!

If you've been following Elder L's saga, he has been struggling as of late. We have been worried about his safety in his sector and most of all, his safety with a mentally ill companion. Saturday we got this amazing letter that not only uplifted me and made me feel so much better for him, but totally gave me a lot to think about. He's been out a little over a year, and I can't believe the change that has taken place.
You can click on the picture to get a better read.......

After wiping the tears, I decided that this kid is just one awesome human being and I am so proud of him for sticking it out. Especially when it has been so hard. I think I really have gained a ton of appreciation for him and feel it a privilege to even be a part of his life.
AWE.SOME!!

Monday - Missionary Update

Another Monday when the whole world comes to a screeching halt while I await "the email". We have figured out what time he gets on and we've been making sure we are on-line as well. We then can have brief "conversations" via email. LOVE IT! He couldn't spend too much time today, but it was great to hear from him. (reminder - original spelling and grammar left in)

Parents,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE, 30? 32? THAT IS GOOD DAD, YOU ARE STILL YOUNG!!! I AM SURE THAT YOU GUYS GOT SOME GOOD PLANS TODAY AND HOPE THAT TODAY WILL BE AN AWESOME DAY FOR YA!!

Wow thank you guys so much for all of the picutres that you sent me! There was a lot, but i loved getting all of them. Some of them i couldnt see very good, but some of the others, but perfect. I forgot that i hadnt sent you a picture of my new companion haha its that, we dont have anything pictures together hardly haha if you couldnt imagine. My christmas was awesome! They do it way different here. It is not very big here and is basiclly for the little kids, so its not like our huge celebration and we have tons to do. Haha its kinda wired. But new years day is HUGE here and again, we are going to be with that same family for new years! I am going to buy another memory card today because i could take some of the pictures that i wanted to take yesterday. I was going to send you guys some good ones, but i didnt have any memory. Yesterday we went to a members house to eat lunch. He lives on a farm and was way awesome. got to see and touch farm animales and go down and throw rocks into the river. It was aweosme, but of course i couldnt talk any pictures. I will get that fixed today.
Dad i am cool with puttin a DVD burner in my comp, but honestly i was thinking about getting a whole new comp when i get back, and if tuffy wants, he can have that comp. That is what i was thinking.....so i guess that you will have to ask him haha.

This week was really really really long, i am not sure why, but it was really long haha. this week should go by pretty fast, there is not a lot going on, new years day, and nothing else. I am going to send you dad, a package home for your BDAY! You should get it in a bout a week or so i think..... I hope that you like it!

If i could ask of a favor....there are some kids here that just got the mel. preisthood but dont have the thing to hold the oil cause you can only by it in Santiago, and its expensie.....So what i was wondering is if you could send me three of those things? If you cant that is okay, dont worry about it. if you get the chance also, a triple would be sweet.....haha sorry for asking is just that the HMA that we just baptized doesnt have one.. :( Anyway if you cant, dont worry about it. If you could, i think that they write on the book for freeee, the name right? If you could put the name: Barbara Virginia Riquelme Puga.

techincally, i do have 1 year and one week in the mission, but i wont get back until the 30th, or i mean, i will serve more than two years haha! i guess that it is a good think that in the misison that you cant get extensions, or i dont think that you would be too happy with that haha.

All things are going good in the hood. I am sure that you guys are going to be on, so go ahead and respond if you would like!!! I love you guys and miss you!!!

Elder Catmull

I heart that boy! Really. Awesome kid. Now to carry on until the next Monday.....

Why I now LOVE facebook....

Okay, so once I found blogging, Facebook was soooo yesterday, however, I created an account for Elder Luke and maintain it for him. He's gotten the word out to his friends in Chile, so I friend accept them. There have been tons of messages posted to him that I can pass on, and someone just tagged him in a photo. It's two that we hadn't seen before. He's not posing like his normal ones. Lah, Lah, LOVE it!!
Facebook - you and I are friends again....
And to Elder Catmull's friends in Chile - Gracias!! Muchos Gracias!!

Ciao!

THE CALL!!!!

Yeah!!!
So...... got up this morning, toddled to the gym, not once, but twice! Did some last minute shopping and then got ready for THE CALL!
We have some friends here in the neighborhood that have free international calling and were kind enough to allow us to indulge. We headed to their house and gathered in their office. Even Luke's besties, made it over.


Words cannot even begin to describe how it felt to talk to him! He is SO happy! Funny though, his accent is STRONG and he didn't remember a lot of English. Griff speaks Spanish from his stint in Puerto Rico, so they conversed a little, but later in the phone call, our neighbor's son who also served in Chile (Santiago), came and for about 5 minutes he and Luke just conversed in Spanish. THRILLING! Right down to my toes! We had a great talk, but he has this cough. I don't like it ONE BIT! We asked him about it, and he does have bad allergies here at home, but apparently, they are in full force right now. I'm not convinced and I think he is sick, but he won't admit it.....he doesn't want to worry us. TOO LATE!!

Splenda Daddy noticed that when he spoke English, he coughed all the time, when he spoke Spanish, he was totally fine. He did mention that when he tries to speak English, he can't make his tongue work right. SO AWESOME!
We were originally only supposed to get 30 minutes on the phone with him, but my sly little Lukie weaseled an extra hour so we got a total of 90 minutes on the phone. LOVED hearing him. LOVED talking to him. LOVED listening to his Spanish. HATED the news he gave us. So....... apparently when you have hit your year mark, the mission president gives you your leave date. Now, mind you, I PRAYED that he would leave right before Christmas so that he would come HOME right before Christmas. Seems that the first part worked out, but his release date is 12/30/2009! You heard me!!! The FREAKING 30TH!! WHY YES, I AM YELLING IN ALL CAPS!!!!
I thought he was just kidding and trying to be mean, but nope, it's true. So now, technically, we haven't even hit the one year mark! Good feeling gone, instead major depression. I held it in while talking to him, but have been pissed off ever since. Good thing I really believe my religion....Just saying.
Must redo count down on side bar. Must redo count down on manual calendar. Must self-soothe with caramel, chocolate covered pretzels, and then exercise purge. Must get new attitude befitting a true missionary mom.
Save your words of encouragement, I'm still pissed off and right now, I don't want to hear any blah blah blah about celebrating late next year, or that it's only 11 days later or any other kind of sunshine crap you might think about throwing my way.
Happy Bus - stalled.....

Monday - Missionary Update

Yeah! Such a handsome stud! Not much in his email today since we will be talking later this week!
Dear Parents,

I guess that you are probably wondering what has been going on this past week. I decided that I am not going to beat around the bush, and there are a couple things that I am sure you guys would like to know. There was no transfer here in our sector, or i mean, i am still here with my companion for another 6 weeks at least. which actually wasnt to suprising, but wasnt the best news haha.so i will be spending my christmas here! And, also some good information to know aboout.......THE CALL!!

We had to change the date from the 25, to the 24 (christmas eve) this is actually the day the we can use the phone, and will have to be the day that we get to talk. The bad thing is, that you guys have that white elephant game at TNTs........I hope that doesnt cause any problems, but really is the day that we had to change to :( Also, that same day, we have a ZONE CONFERENCE, can you imgine that? So we will be in Osorno all day.....that means that the call would be about 8:00 (in Chile time) at night. The phone that we are going to use, we are going to take it back to our house because the family that is gonig to let us use the phone, probably wont be home. So, the important information:
The call: the 24th of Dec. at 8:00 Chile time.
As far as this week goes, it should be pretty laid back. WE will basically work about two days of the week. So nothing huge going on. I know that this email is really short, but i want you guys, if you have time, to respond back and tell me what you think. Also, we will be talking this week so not much to say here haha. I havent gotten any packages yet, tomorrow i will see if i get any, but i will let you know when we talk.
I love and miss you guys!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Catmull

Can't wait until the 24th! I guess it's okay that it's a day early.....we'll somehow have to cope with it! : )

The eve of the one-year mark late night ramblings.....

Okay, so it's not really late night. Granted 7:51MST. But for me, it's like freaking midnight. My plan to hit 3 classes at gym - foiled by the rearing of an ugly headache. Fighting it with left over Lortab, thus the ramblings......
Came home to find a package from our Elder.

Now, Monday he said when the package came that we had to wait until Christmas to open it. AS IF!!! Wait, my butt! Neither the Splenda Daddy nor myself have such control or restraint. I ripped the package open to find a DVD and voice tape. Manna from heaven for a missionary mom!!
Popped the DVD in to find all the pictures from his camera downloaded. SWEET!!! Many we had seen before and many were new. Most of the new ones were of the people that he has been teaching or spending time with. The Chilean's are a beautiful, and humble people. I cried when I saw his first "apartment". A tiny mattress on the floor. The picture of his pet spider Matador. The bathroom with a tub that MIGHT be 4 x 4 if that. And the water flooding all over the floor. To see the homes, the area and his living conditions made my heart ache. He is, well was before he left, a clean freak. My cleanest son! But down there, it's wet like 90% of the time, so mud just seems to be a part of his wardrobe now. Freaking me out just a tich....
But then to see pictures of him learning how to make empanadas, surrounded by his Mamita and her family, smiling, hugging, laughing and playing with the kids he just baptized kinda, sorta takes the sting away. If he weren't so darn happy, I'd be on a plane tomorrow to fetch him home.
I listened to his voice tape and his accent is so strong that I had to REALLY listen to understand him. He tells me the story of how they are walking down the street and get called over by a woman. He tells us, this woman is, "not gonna lie", very ugly and downright funny looking. He quickly discovers that "she" is really a "he" and is a transvestite prostitute! WHISKEY.TANGO.FOXTROT! Okay, that's it, I'm SO calling the mission office ASAP! I listen some more and to my utter amazement, he goes on to share how this particular experience with the "shim" as he referred to he/she from then on, was an amazing experience and one that he will remember the rest of his life. One of the most spiritual experiences he has had on him mission yet.
Okay, missionary mom has calmed down (or is the Lortab is kicking in?), breathing has slowed down and will refrain from calling the mission home after all. I realize, I have a LOT to learn from this 20 year old.
Pretty ironic that his package came on the night before his official one year mark. Yes, that's right, in about 12 hours to be exact.

In short, I am so happy for him. He is doing exactly what he wants to be doing right now. How can I fault or begrudge that?
Do I miss him terribly? Yep
Do I wish it was December 2009? Yep
Do I even sometimes cry, and just wish I could talk to him for a sec? Yep
Would I have it any other way? NOPE


That's the bottom line. I wouldn't have it any other way.
So, albeit a few hours early, let the year count down begin!!
365 days, 11.5 hours until Luke comes home.......
Until then Viva la Chile!!

Monday Missionary Update & What's Happening Hot Stuff??

Silly, Silly Lukie - I mean Elder Catmull! Here's this week's update (Remember I left his original spelling and grammar in):

Subject line - The Miracle of Fasting
Dear Parents!

What a week! A week of miracles that is..... sounds like things are going pretty good back home. I did get your email dad thank you, i just got it after i sent mine haha. we havent gotten a new place to live yet because it is a process.....it is going to take some time. and i will let you guys know the moment that i get the card, or i mean, the moment that i can. I am also looking forward to the package. i am going to send you guys a package also. Also, i talked to the post office about the package that got lost a lot time ago, they told me that i need to call a numbers and some other junk like that. I sent the package (the big one a long time ago) through what is called TNT, whcih means, it should get there in about 8 days and it should never got lost. It is expensive and really safe. Oh well, i am sure that you will get this next package because it is really small, but i know that you guys are going to like it.

Now, you guys are probably wondering, what is the miracle of fasting?? lets hear the story right? It is a long one, but i will shorten it up the best i can. Very cool though.
Aight, here in the sector, we have what are called eternal investigators, which, have shared with the missionaries for lots of time, but never progress and always have an excuse to not be baptized. They are very good people and know a lot about the chruch, but just decide not to. We have one in particular, and here name is Barbara. She has shared with the misisonaries for a long time, that being said, her two children, Paul and Paula were baptized. She on the other didnt want to do it cause she didnt want to leave here husbad behind. Tons and tons of misionaires have tried to baptize here, and she never could do it. Also me and my comp have tried a lot too. We have shared tons with her and helped her out a lot. okay, that being said,goign to switch topics for a second. in the sector we have the great challenge of having investigators attend chruch, our goal, as a zone, is 2 that attend and those two have a baptizmal date. it we complete with this goal as a zone, we have been given permision to play soccer on p days haha. kinda cool. this week was difficult to invite and get people comitted to do it. Okay, back to the story to tie things in......whew.

me and my comp asked the lord what we needed to do and recived the answer that God is a little upset with here because she has been given so mcuh and puts other things first and doesnt want to be baptized, God gave us two chapters in the BOM Alma 32 and 34. Then we felt to give here one last chance to accept. Friday night ( i am skipping a lot) we had a goood lession with here. We were really direct with here and told her whats up. She acepted a baptizaml date for Sat. 13 of Dec. but she was scared and wasnts 100 percent sure if she wanted to do it. me and my companion, decided to pray....and fast. The heat here has gottten up to 100 deg. it is insane hahah. Fasting with that was not easy, but it was worth it, and i will tell you why.... hahaha sorry this is long.
We had conference Sunday, and she didnt show up, crap...... we had elder barros from the seventy and our mission president there and we knew it was going to be good. Well, as time went by, she shows up, and sits down and begins to listen. She was feeling the spirit way strong and was in here mind to be baptized. Untill.....Elder Barros was inspiried to say these words, I would hope that at least one person from this conference would change here life. I know that there are a lot of people here, but I would hope for just one.
And that hit her hard, and decided to be baptized!!!!!! she didnt care what here husband would say or anything else, but she wanted to be baptized. What a miraclce!!!! we talked to elder barros about it after the meeting and he was so happy. she made the decision and is going to be baptized this sat. but the miracle doestn stop there haha. Guess how many people were there at chruch? 2 .....and guess how many had a baptizmal date..? 2 can you believe that? the two reasons that i was praying and fasting for. How awesome!

The Lord listens,AND answers. We know for sure if it wasnt for our faith, she would not have made the decision. a small sacrifice for a great blessing. think what can be accomplished with the simple act of pray and fast.....AANYONE can be converted. so anyway, that is more or less the story. looking forward to the baptizm this sat..... :)

Easily this has been the most difficult time on the mission, BUT the most rewarding, funny how that works. As far as talking with you guys on the phone, i am more than stoked!!! details will be next week!

i sent you guys a pic hahaha of my guns and me brushin my teeth. not the most attractive, but its what ive got haha. this week should be pretty busy, so time will fly by that is for sure. I loved getting your guyss letters and i am looking forward to next week!!! Love you guys! oh and if you guys have time, feel free to respond back!!

Elder Catmull

ummmmm......who IS this kid and what did he do with Luke? Crap-a-doodle! Here's me wiping tears....He is having the best time of his life!

So What's Happening Hot Stuff?
This week is going to be busy. I am in St. George for a quickie, and then back home for work, work and more work. It's the last week of PT camp, so I am expecting P.O.P to kick butt, though I will miss a morning. And then probably should get serious about Christmas shopping....mmm...mmmm..mmmm. Not exciting at all.

So how did I do on my goals last week?
Didn't kill any old ladies - check. In fact, fell head over heels in love with them and want to adopt them both!
Don't get fired for sexual harassment - check. Still have a job, but this morning was dicey, could be the nail in the coffin.
Find good homes for puppy boys - half check. Got a GREAT one for Junior, who we now just call puppy. But still looking for one for Hummer.
Gain a pound - check. Exact to the ounce.

So this week?
1. Get home safe and sound from the lovely and much warmer St. George
2. Find a good home for Hummer
3. No weight change. No gaining, no losing.
4. Get at least ONE present purchased.
I realize these are sure not lofty goals, but realize, I gotta set reasonable expectations for myself...c'mon, after my week on call with the freakin pager, my self-esteem is in the crapper and will need this week to rebuild. Can't set myself up for failure..... : )